INTERNAL AUDIT INTO SUBSIDISED SCHEMS OF GSHDC ORDERED BY AGRICULTURE MINISTER

PANJIM: Agriculture Minister Vishwajeet Rane has ordered internal audit into subsidised schemes of the Goa State Horticulture Development Corporation (GSHDC). The decision was taken following allegations by the Opposition that the Corporation was buying veggies from the Belgaum wholesale traders at a hefty commission.
“We have asked for an internal audit of the GSHDC schemes because the Opposition has been making a noise on our noble initiative. We will conduct a monthly audit,” Rane said.
Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar had charged the corporation of buying veggies from neighbouring Belgaum for hefty commissions as a result of which there were no buyers for local farm produce.
The Horticulture Corporation formulated several schemes over the last three years, Rane said, adding that a push has been given to agriculture in the State.
He said initiatives have been taken to give boost to small farmers and vegetable growers through the Corporation, while at the same time concentrating on mechanisation of agriculture in a big way by providing subsidies for purchase of modern machinery. Reacting to fresh threats by Belgaum traders of not cooperating with the Corporation, the minister said he will probe as to who was provoking them.
Sources said that few vendors had visited Belgaum on Saturday provoking the wholesalers, which triggered the crisis. The vegetable vendors were reportedly disturbed after Corporation began selling fruits at a lesser price through the outlets, which affected their business.
The minister said that the ruling party in Karnataka and Goa’s Opposition party (Bharatiya Janata Party) are trying its best to stop the Corporation’s subsidised schemes.
He stated that they will not bog down to illegitimate tactics and that schemes would continue as the same had provided employment to more than 1,000 Goan youth. Corporation chairman Sankalp Amonkar said he was ready for the audit. “We have a transparent working system. Any inquiry or audit is welcome,” he stated.