Rs 99 lakh subsidy row: Horticulture board freezes applications under 2 schemes

The National Horticulture Board (NHB) has temporarily halted the acceptance of new grant of clearance applications for two subsidy schemes under the Horticulture Board for one month, starting September 4. This decision follows an amendment to the guidelines of a scheme, which was revealed to have been misused by a Union minister's relative and the secretary's family to receive subsidies for cucumber farms.

The suspension is intended to allow for proper verification of pending cases and updates to the online application system. The NHB clarified that existing case submissions will continue to be processed as per the revised scheme guidelines. The Development of Commercial Horticulture through Production and Post-Harvest Management of Horticulture Crops Scheme aims to encourage large-scale commercial farming of horticultural crops, including capsicum, cucumber, tomato, and eight varieties of flowers.

The subsidy scheme offers a maximum of 50 percent of the project cost, capped at Rs 1 crore per family. The government revised the scheme guidelines on August 21, barring holders of various constitutional and government positions from availing financial assistance.