The Union Ministry of Agriculture has expanded its crackdown on corruption in Madhya Pradesh, taking immediate action against marketing officers Neeraj Verma and Sandeep Didawat following complaints of extortion from local warehouse operators. Verma allegedly solicited Rs 50,000 from individual facility managers across Sehore district to clear government payments, while Didawat reportedly demanded Rs 60,000 from the operator of Prakash Warehouse during an official inspection in Raisen.
Addressing the misconduct, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan issued the suspension orders after the allegations were formally brought to his attention. Chouhan emphasized that irregularities in government assistance programs will trigger strict disciplinary measures, instructing departmental authorities to streamline all subsidy disbursal channels so that eligible beneficiaries and warehouse managers can complete administrative procedures without facing harassment or unlawful financial demands.
ALSO READ | Karnataka Congress Accuses BJP MLA of Seeking Bulk Voter Deletions in Belagavi
The latest enforcement brings the total number of disciplined field officers in the region to three within a multi-day span. Just two days prior, Chouhan ordered the suspension of another marketing officer, Anurag, who allegedly attempted to collect Rs 1 lakh from the operator of Shivay Warehouse in Bhairunda tehsil alongside Rs 60,000 from Shri Krishna Warehouse in Beherakhedi village in the Rehti area to release pending subsidy payments.
