Bhagirath Choudhary on ₹99 lakh subsidy row: 'Hiding nothing, ready to show all documents'
Synopsis
A Union Minister of State received ₹99.03 lakh in government subsidy from a scheme run by the board he chairs as ex-officio Vice-President — and the same ministry he oversees. Bhagirath Choudhary says everything was above board and he has nothing to hide. The structural conflict-of-interest question, however, is harder to dismiss than the minister's assurances.
Key Takeaways
MoS Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary received a subsidy of ₹99.03 lakh for a cucumber polyhouse project under the MIDH scheme .
The subsidy was approved by the National Horticulture Board (NHB) , where Choudhary serves as ex-officio Vice-President — the same body under his ministry's administrative control.
Choudhary says the project covers 16,592 sq m of cucumber cultivation and includes four farm ponds with a two-crore-litre rainwater storage capacity.
The MIDH scheme offers up to 50% subsidy , capped at ₹1 crore per family , for select vegetables and flowers; launched in 2014-15 .
His project is one of 467 approved by NHB in 2025 under the commercial horticulture development scheme.
Choudhary says he is ready to present all documents publicly; the government has not issued a separate official statement.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Bhagirath Choudhary on Saturday, 27 June publicly defended himself against allegations that he received a government subsidy of ₹99.03 lakh for a cucumber farming project under a scheme administered by the very ministry he heads. Choudhary maintained that every step of the process followed prescribed guidelines and said he was prepared to place all relevant documents before the public on demand.
The Controversy at a Glance
The row was triggered by an investigation published by The Indian Express, which reported that Choudhary received the ₹99 lakh subsidy approximately three months ago under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a scheme launched in 2014-15 and administered by the National Horticulture Board (NHB). The NHB is an autonomous body under the administrative control of Choudhary's own ministry — and Choudhary serves as its ex-officio Vice-President. Critics argue the dual role raises a direct conflict-of-interest question.
What Choudhary Said
Addressing the allegations, Choudhary said, 'It is true. I am a farmer, and I am engaged in agricultural work. I have developed a polyhouse project and constructed four farm ponds with a capacity of around two crore litres to store rainwater. This water is used for irrigation and for my crops.'
He added that he had taken a bank loan in line with scheme guidelines and had installed a notice board at the project site publicly disclosing both the loan amount and the subsidy received. 'I am not hiding anything,' he said. 'I have even installed a board at the site stating that I have availed the subsidy and that the project is meant to encourage farmers to adopt modern farming techniques.'
On the sequence of events, Choudhary clarified: 'I installed the polyhouse first, and after about six months, I received the subsidy through the proper banking procedure. Certainly, I can present all the facts and documents before the public.'
How the MIDH Scheme Works
The MIDH scheme promotes commercial horticulture — large-scale, profit-oriented cultivation — of select vegetables and flowers. It offers a maximum subsidy of 50 per cent of the project cost, capped at ₹1 crore per family, for crops including capsicum, cucumber, and tomato, as well as eight flower varieties such as rose, anthurium, and orchids.
Choudhary's cucumber cultivation project spans 16,592 sq m and is one of 467 projects approved by the NHB in 2025 under the scheme titled 'Development of Commercial Horticulture through Production and Post-Harvest Management of Horticulture Crops.' His subsidy of ₹99.03 lakh falls within the scheme's ₹1 crore ceiling.
Why the Dual Role Raises Questions
The core concern flagged by critics is structural: a minister who oversees the NHB — and holds its ex-officio vice-presidency — benefiting financially from a scheme the NHB administers. Even if the application was technically compliant, the arrangement invites scrutiny over whether adequate arm's-length separation existed during the approval process. Notably, the NHB approved 467 such projects in 2025, suggesting the scheme is broadly accessible — but Choudhary's position makes his case uniquely visible.
What Happens Next
Choudhary has not indicated whether he will proactively release the documents or wait for a formal request. Opposition parties are likely to press the matter in Parliament. The government has not yet issued an official response beyond the minister's personal statement.
Point of View
Not the structural problem. A minister who is ex-officio Vice-President of the body that approved his subsidy application occupies a position where the appearance of conflict is unavoidable, regardless of technical compliance. The MIDH scheme is broad and legitimate; the issue is whether a minister in this dual role should have applied at all, or recused himself from any oversight of the approval. Parliament's scrutiny committees, not just the minister's word, are the appropriate venue for that answer.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the subsidy controversy involving Bhagirath Choudhary?
Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary reportedly received a ₹99.03 lakh government subsidy for a cucumber farming project under the MIDH scheme — a programme administered by the National Horticulture Board, which operates under his own ministry and where he serves as ex-officio Vice-President. The dual role has drawn conflict-of-interest allegations.
What is the MIDH scheme and who is eligible?
The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), launched in 2014-15, promotes commercial-scale cultivation of select vegetables and flowers. It offers a subsidy of up to 50 per cent of project cost, capped at ₹1 crore per family, for crops such as cucumber, capsicum, and tomato, as well as flowers including rose, anthurium, and orchids.
How does Choudhary justify receiving the subsidy?
Choudhary maintains that the process was fully compliant with prescribed guidelines, that he took a bank loan as required, and that he publicly disclosed the subsidy by installing a notice board at the project site. He says he is ready to present all documents on demand and argues his project is meant to inspire other farmers to adopt modern techniques.
What is the conflict-of-interest concern?
Critics argue that Choudhary's position as ex-officio Vice-President of the NHB — the body that approved his subsidy — while also being the minister overseeing that body creates an inherent conflict of interest, even if the application was technically within scheme rules.
What happens next in the subsidy row?
Choudhary has indicated willingness to release documents but has not set a timeline. Opposition parties are expected to raise the matter in Parliament. No formal government inquiry has been announced as of 27 June 2025.
