Assam Subsidy Row: Gogoi Seeks PM's Intervention In Rs 10 Crore Grant To CM Sarma's Wife

Gogoi wrote to the prime minister that the ministry of food processing industries had given Rs 10 crore to Pride East Entertainments Private Limited, whose promoter is Riniki Bhuyan Sharma.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.

Guwahati: Congress MP from Assam’s Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention on the issue of allocation of a Central government subsidy of Rs 10 crore to the firm owned by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma.

In his letter, the Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Gogoi, wrote, “I write this to you to draw your kind attention to the issue of allocation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSÝ) subsidy, implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, to the family member of Assam Chief Minister. It has come to notice that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, under the PMKSY and Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Clusters has allocated an amount of Rs 10 crore to Pride East Entertainments Private Limited, the promoter of which is Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma.”

“On March 22, 2023, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, while replying to questions in Lok Sabha as to whether the government has taken initiative to invest in Assam in order support the promotion of industries, has given a list of food processing projects supported under component of PMKSY in the northeastern states as on January 31, 2022 vis-à-vis the state of Assam,” the letter read.

“At serial number seven of the list, the name of Pride East Entertainments Private Limited has been mentioned. Pertinently, the amount of approved grant-in-aid is mentioned as Rs 10 crore. The name Pride East Entertainments Private Limited can also be found in the list of beneficiaries on the website of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Assam is home to many small and medium entrepreneurs and companies with vast experience in food processing. Ignoring them for a media entity with links to the sitting Chief Minister is gross injustice to them,” Gogoi stated in his letter.

“On September 14, 2023 the Chief Minister posted on X saying, “Yes, all family members of BJP politicians have the right to run their own companies and seek government subsidies if they are entitled to them,” Gogoi stated.  

“In my humble opinion, such companies should seek credit from the financial sector or banks. Government grants must be given to the genuine and needy beneficiaries who have displayed the expertise to utilise the tax-payers money in the proper manner. Therefore, I am bringing this to your kind attention and humbly request your intervention,” Gogoi further stated.

Earlier this month, Gogoi had written to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to intervene on the issue of the said government grant. He also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Sarma and a probe into the allocation of government grants and land acquisition by the company owned by Chief Minister Sarma’s wife.

Later, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma filed a Rs 10 crore defamation suit against Gogoi over his allegations.