'I Am A Farmer...': MoS Bhagirath Choudhary Given Rs 99-Lakh Subsidy By His Own Agriculture Ministry

Jaipur: Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary is facing criticism after a report claimed that he received ₹99.6 lakh as subsidy under a horticulture scheme that comes under his own ministry.

According to a media report, the subsidy was given for Choudhary’s cucumber farm in Rajasthan under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a scheme that aims at the holistic growth of the horticulture sector. It covers fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa, and bamboo.

Notably, MIDH is administered by the National Horticulture Board (NHB), a body that functions under the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Choudhary, who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Ajmer in Rajasthan, is the Minister of State in the same ministry. The National Horticulture Board is headed by the Union Agriculture Minister as president, while the Union Minister of State for Agriculture serves as its vice-president.

The report claimed that Choudhary’s project for cucumber cultivation over 16,592 square metres was among 467 projects approved by the board in 2025. It said the scheme offers subsidy of up to 50% of project cost, capped at ₹1 crore per family, for commercial farming of select vegetables and flowers.

The matter triggered a political row after opposition leaders alleged conflict of interest, arguing that a serving minister had benefited from a scheme administered by his own ministry.

‘Mai Kisan Hoon…'

Choudhary, however, denied any wrongdoing and said he had not hidden anything. He said he had been associated with farming since childhood and had applied for the subsidy in 2018, years before he became a Union minister in June 2024.

“I am a farmer and have been in agriculture since my childhood days. I have not hidden anything," he said.

Taking about polyhouses installed at his farm, Choudhary said, “Thousands of farmers install polyhouses and avail themselves of subsidies…I did that too. I had applied for it in 2018.”

The minister also said that details of the loans and subsidies had been displayed on a board at the farm. He added that local officials had visited the site and that he also trained farmers there in new techniques and natural farming.

"I have installed a board there and mentioned all the loans and subsidies I took. I also train farmers there in new techniques and natural farming...All local officials have visited the spot. So, what did I hide?..."

‘Blatant Loot’: Congress

Congress leader Pawan Khera attacked the minister over the issue, saying, “He is the applicant, the sanctioning authority, and the beneficiary - all rolled into one. Calling it a conflict of interest would be an understatement. This is blatant loot.”

“It’s troubling because the poor are expected to be grateful for 5 kg of free ration and a modest midday meal for their children, as though these are the government’s favours rather than citizen’s rights. Meanwhile, ministers and their kith and kin have the state treasury at their disposal – cornering subsidies, drawing benefits and treating public funds as their father’s estate,” Khera added.

Also Read- Sip Of 'Nariyal Paani', 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' & Giant Tortoise Meet: All About PM Modi's Adventurous Trip To Seychelles Botanical Garden