Dairy scandal milks the poor: Congress MP alleges cronyism, demands PM Modi probe Assam’s Rs 25 crore cow scheme

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 28, 2025

Assam Congress president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an immediate review of beneficiaries under the state’s Rs 25.5 crore dairy subsidy scheme, alleging it has been hijacked by relatives of ministers and MLAs.

In a strongly worded letter sent on Saturday, Gogoi raised alarm over what he described as “blatant favouritism” in the implementation of the 2022–23 “Assistance to Entrepreneur for Establishment of Commercial Dairy Farming” scheme. The program, backed by significant financial support from the Assam government, offers subsidies of up to Rs 50 lakh per unit to promote dairy entrepreneurship.

“Multiple reports and official records point to irregularities,” Gogoi wrote. “Several beneficiaries appear to be family members or close associates of ruling party politicians, while genuine dairy farmers—especially in districts like Bongaigaon—have been repeatedly denied despite meeting all eligibility norms.”

According to Gogoi, this exclusion of experienced dairy entrepreneurs casts serious doubts on the fairness and transparency of the selection process. What has further stoked controversy is Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s public defence of the inclusion of ministers’ relatives as beneficiaries—a stance Gogoi called “an open endorsement of political favouritism” and a violation of constitutional principles.

Gogoi also expanded his complaint to include the Garukhuti Bahumukhi Krishi Prakalpa, a separate state-run agricultural initiative that has already come under fire for financial opacity and livestock mismanagement. He alleged that Gir cows procured under the Garukhuti project with public funds were diverted to private entities, including firms owned by political families.

Among the names cited there are the wife of Cabinet Minister and Nalbari MLA Jayanta Malla Baruah, Jonai MLA Bhupen Pegu, Gohpur MLA Utpal Borah, Kamalpur MLA Diganta Kalita and Assam BJP president and Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia.

“These actions go against the very principles of transparency, accountability, and equitable access,” Gogoi wrote. “When politically connected individuals siphon off benefits meant for the poor, we erode public trust and mock the idea of inclusive development.”

Calling the situation a breach of both ethics and the public trust, Gogoi urged the Prime Minister to launch an inquiry into the dairy scheme and the Garukhuti project without delay.

“I trust that this matter will be taken with the seriousness it deserves,” he concluded, emphasizing the need for immediate central intervention to restore credibility and fairness in government-backed rural development programs.