In the closing session of the Haryana state assembly’s budget meeting, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar disclosed plans for a specialized task force within the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to probe irregularities within cooperative societies.
“This dedicated task force will focus on scrutinizing the operations of cooperative societies established from 1992 onwards. Any irregularities unearthed during audits have been referred to the ACB, and measures are being taken to recover misappropriated funds,” Khattar revealed during the assembly session on Wednesday.
Highlighting financial allocations, Khattar stated that out of the Rs 328 crores allocated by the central government for cooperative projects, only Rs 260 crores have been utilized, leaving Rs 70 crores under the purview of the Cooperative Department.
In the assembly, Congress MLA Chiranjeev Rao has alleged the existence of a scam worth Rs 100 crore in four districts. Additionally, he suggested that if the matter is thoroughly investigated, the scam could potentially escalate to Rs 500 crore.
Recent budget announcements have underscored the government’s commitment to bolstering the cooperative sector. Khattar outlined plans to establish 500 new Comprehensive Multi-Purpose Activities Cooperative Societies (CM-PACS) in the upcoming fiscal year, aiming to stimulate rural prosperity and foster cooperative endeavours across various sectors including agriculture, processing, marketing, and rural services.
Furthermore, Khattar highlighted achievements in agricultural initiatives, including Haryana State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd (HAFED)’s entry into the export market and the establishment of modern infrastructure for value addition such as a turmeric plant and a Mega Food Park in Rohtak.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, an increased budget allocation of Rs 7570.77 crore has been proposed for agriculture, allied sectors, and cooperation, marking a significant 38.9 percent rise over the current year’s revised estimates of Rs 5449.26 crore.
