Assam Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah has strongly refuted allegations of favoritism and misuse of public funds after his wife’s dairy enterprise received a government subsidy under a state-backed entrepreneurship scheme. Addressing the media on June 27, the minister emphasized that the subsidy was granted through a transparent, rule-based process, not political influence.
🐄 What the Scheme Entails
- The dairy subsidy program follows a 40:30:30 model: 40% bank loan, 30% beneficiary contribution, and 30% government subsidy
- Mallabaruah clarified that only 16 applications were received for 20 available slots, and 15—including his wife’s—were approved based on eligibility
- “No deserving applicant was denied. The subsidy was routed through banks, not handed out directly,” he said
💼 Allegations and Minister’s Rebuttal
- Critics, including Congress leader Ashok Sharma, alleged that the minister’s wife used a false address to qualify for the scheme and questioned the disappearance of 90 Gir cows from the Garukhuti Project
- Mallabaruah responded that 20 of those cows were legally purchased by his wife’s firm for ₹13.2 lakh via bank transactions, and submitted bank statements to support his claim
- He condemned the allegations as politically motivated misinformation, asserting, “The process was lawful and transparent. I will continue serving with integrity”
🧾 CM Sarma Backs Minister, Dismisses Corruption Claims
- Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma defended Mallabaruah, stating that no rules were broken and that MLA or minister family members are not barred from applying for public schemes
- “If someone wants to rear cows and earn honestly, what’s wrong with that?” Sarma asked, dismissing the controversy as political noise
📌 Why It Matters
- Raises questions about conflict of interest and ethical governance in public subsidy distribution
- Highlights the need for greater transparency and independent oversight in welfare schemes
- Sparks a broader debate on political accountability and public trust
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