The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has intensified its attack on the BJP-led state government, alleging widespread corruption and mismanagement in the Gorukhuti Agricultural Project. Former Lok Sabha MP and Senior Congress leader Ram Prasad Sharma, joined by APCC Media Department Chairman Bedabrata Bora and senior spokesperson Ramen Jha, demanded a CBI inquiry into what they describe as a “massive misuse of public funds” in a press conference today.
The Gorukhuti project, launched in 2021 on 77,000 bighas of land in Sipajhar after the eviction of over 1,000 families, was intended to boost Assam’s agricultural and dairy sectors through modern farming techniques and the procurement of high-yield Gir cows from Gujarat. With an expenditure of nearly ₹25 crore, the project promised to enhance milk production and provide employment opportunities. However, Congress leaders claim it has become a vehicle for enriching ministers and BJP MLAs while failing to deliver on its objectives.
Allegations of Irregularities and Corruption in Gorukhuti Agricultural Project
Sharma highlighted discrepancies between statements from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and project chairman Padma Hazarika, who was given cabinet status to oversee the initiative. He accused the government of squandering public resources, noting that 300 Gir cows were procured through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), but 90 were distributed to ministers, MLAs, and BJP leaders without public notice or a transparent tender process. Additionally, 56 cows reportedly died, and 154 were returned to Gujarat due to alleged illness, raising questions about the project’s management and accountability.
“Who is responsible for bringing ailing Gir cows to Assam? Who will take accountability for their deaths?” Sharma questioned, demanding a CBI probe to uncover the truth behind the alleged misappropriation. He further alleged that the project, initially hailed as a model for rural development, has been politicized, with ministers and MLAs benefiting at the expense of Assam’s common people.
Questions Surrounding NDDB and Cow Distribution
Bedabrata Bora raised concerns about the tender process handled by the NDDB, questioning why the organization was entrusted with procuring the cows and why 90 of them were offloaded at Rangia station and distributed to politically connected individuals. “If 90 cows went to ministers and MLAs, 56 died, and 154 were returned, how many remain?” Bora asked, pointing to a lack of clarity in official statements. He also criticized the government for blocking a Congress delegation from visiting the project site, alleging an attempt to hide the truth.
Bora further noted that a BJP worker who purchased one of the Gir cows claimed it produced only 5–6 litres of milk daily, far below expectations for a high-yield breed. In contrast, local and Jersey cows can produce 10–12 litres per day, raising doubts about the project’s sustainability and the quality of the procured cows. He demanded a white paper detailing the project’s expenditure and revenue to ensure transparency.
Neglect of Gaushalas and Alleged Hypocrisy
Senior Congress spokesperson Ramen Jha accused the BJP government of neglecting gaushalas across Assam while funneling funds to politically connected individuals. “The BJP claims to worship ‘Gau Mata,’ but there’s no financial support for cow shelters or their upkeep,” Jha said. He questioned why sick cows were distributed to ministers and BJP workers instead of being sent to gaushalas for proper care, holding both CM Sarma and Hazarika responsible for the deaths of 65 Gir cows. Jha described the project as a “cow syndicate” designed for profit rather than public welfare, warning that such actions could lead to the government’s downfall.
Political Tensions and Protests
The controversy has sparked statewide protests, with Congress workers staging demonstrations and filing FIRs against Cabinet Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, whose wife’s dairy enterprise reportedly received 20 of the 90 distributed cows along with a ₹50 lakh subsidy. On June 30, Congress workers waved black flags at CM Sarma’s convoy in Golaghat, leading to the detention of four individuals. The APCC has also filed complaints in Guwahati and Biswanath, alleging misappropriation of funds and demanding a judicial inquiry.
Government’s Response
CM Sarma and Minister Mallabaruah have denied allegations of wrongdoing. Sarma claimed the Gir cows were unsuitable for Assam’s climate, leading to their deaths, and that the remaining cows were sold to private individuals to prevent further losses. Mallabaruah defended the subsidy to his wife’s enterprise, stating it was part of a transparent government scheme. However, Congress leaders argue that these explanations fail to address the lack of transparency in the distribution process and the project’s overall failure to benefit genuine farmers.
Call for Accountability
The APCC has called for a CBI or judicial inquiry to investigate the Gorukhuti project’s financial dealings, the NDDB’s role, and the distribution of Gir cows. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging political favoritism and urging a review of the project’s beneficiaries. As public and political pressure mounts, the controversy continues to cast a shadow over the Assam government’s flagship agricultural initiative.
