Kumari Selja seeks independent probe into alleged crop insurance fraud in Haryana

Congress MP from Sirsa and former Union Minister Kumari Selja on Monday demanded a high-level independent inquiry into an alleged crop insurance fraud in Haryana, claiming that insurance claims were processed in the names of deceased farmers. She urged the state government to ensure accountability and take strict action against those found responsible.

In a statement, Selja described the alleged fraud as a serious betrayal of farmers and the administrative system. Referring to media reports, she alleged that crop insurance claims worth crores of rupees were processed in the names of deceased farmers in Hisar district through the alleged involvement of Common Service Center operators, village numberdars, insurance agents and some officials of the Agriculture Department.

Selja said that if government records could be manipulated to show deceased farmers as beneficiaries, it reflected a serious failure of administrative oversight. She alleged that the case exposed deep-rooted corruption within the state administration and added that it was another example of the alleged irregularities that had surfaced during the BJP government’s tenure. The Congress Working Committee member also referred to reported banking irregularities, issues related to paddy procurement and payments, financial irregularities in various departments and alleged lapses in development works in Sirsa.

She said farmers were already dealing with rising input costs, unpredictable weather and declining returns. Misuse of a welfare scheme meant to protect farmers, she said, amounted to a grave injustice, and she questioned how such alleged irregularities had remained undetected for years. Selja demanded a time-bound independent investigation into the alleged fraud and sought strict legal action against all those found responsible, including officials, Common Service Center operators, insurance agents and others allegedly involved. She also called for a special audit of crop insurance claims across Haryana over the past few years to determine whether similar irregularities had taken place in other districts.

Concluding her statement, the Congress MP said the state government should focus on ensuring accountability rather than making statements about corruption. She said farmers and the people of Haryana deserve transparency and assurance that public welfare schemes are protected from misuse.