Speedy Summary
- Congress leader Digvijaya Singh alleged a ₹2.1 lakh crore scam in Madhya Pradesh involving normal cotton sold as organic cotton under falsified certifications.
- Singh claimed most farmers listed under internal control systems (ICS) do not actually grow organic cotton and suggested a court-monitored CBI investigation be conducted.
- allegations include fraudulent inclusion of farmers to obtain transaction certificates for subsidies supposedly amounting to ₹50,000 per hectare for three years, which the government denied providing under the NPOP framework.
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry refuted the claims as “unfounded, unsubstantiated and misleading,” defending India’s Organic Certification program and regulatory systems.
- APEDA acknowledged isolated incidents of malpractice but emphasized strict action is taken against violators through revised regulations, unannounced inspections, tightened checks using mobile apps, and structured investigations based on natural justice principles.
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