Strap: Finally, UP’s Agriculture Dept Clears Rahul Gandhi’s Name For PM Modi’s SchemeBijnor: Rahul Gandhi lives in UP’s Bijnor and earns a livelihood by tilling the farm. Unlike his namesake-- the Congress chief-- this Rahul was more than happy when Prime MinisterNarendra Modi launched a scheme providing Rs 6,000 annual financial assistance to farmers.But, the 35-year-old farmer’s name was “red-flagged” several times when he applied for it, even as most others went home happy. Rahul’s name underwent several stages of scrutiny in the agriculture department. His name was finally cleared on Thursday and Rahul got first installment of Rs 2,000 in his bank account.When contacted, officials of the agriculture department said the name attracted departmental probe as several “notorious elements” apply for government schemes in the name of celebrities for vested interests.The BJP-led Central government had announced the Rs 6,000 annual cash dole to small farmer households having less than two hectares of agriculture land. Modi had inaugurated the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana in Gorakhpur on February 24.As soon as Bijnor’s Rahul heard about the announcement, he rushed to the agriculture department office to enroll himself. “However, officials gave a look of disbelief when I told them my name,” Rahul said. The agriculture and revenue departments have been directed to verify the claims of genuine farmers.The farmers, who wish to apply for the scheme, have to submit their land record documents, Aadhaar card, bank account numbers, mobile numbers and some other details to avail the benefits of the scheme. Like his friends, Rahul also submitted all the documents with the officials of the agriculture department.When TOI contacted, he said: “I provided all the records to the agriculture department last month. Since then, I have received calls from several officials. All of them asked my name. Then they interviewed me. Even senior officials also called me up. Now, finally, I got the information from agriculture department that my name has been cleared.”On being asked about the matter, district agriculture officer Avdhesh Mishra said: “We had shortlisted his name for the scheme. But, it was red-flagged during the online cross check in Lucknow. Later, we got it verified again. Our state-level officials also spoke to Rahul Gandhi over phone to conform his name. Rahul’s father name is Kashi. After proper verification, we sent the report to higher authorities a few days ago. The cash has been transferred to the account of the beneficiary.”

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