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Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the wife of Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced her intention to pursue legal action against Gaurav Gogoi...
Digital Desk: In a dramatic turn of events, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the Chairperson and Managing Director of Pride East Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. and wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced her intention to take legal action against Member of Parliament (MP) from Assam's Kaliabor constituency and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi. This decision comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding her company's alleged receipt of a government grant under the Pradhanmantri Kisan Sampada Yojana.
In a statement released on social media platform X, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma expressed her frustration, stating that she had no choice but to file a defamation case seeking Rs 10 crore in damages against Gaurav Gogoi. She described the situation as "an attack to malign and defame a 17-year-old Assamese enterprise, which has adhered to every aspect of the law, headed by a woman entrepreneur."
The controversy ignited when Gaurav Gogoi pointed out Pride East Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. in a list of beneficiaries of the Pradhanmantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, which was set to receive a grant of Rs 10 crores. This prompted a war of words between Gaurav Gogoi and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.
In her social media message, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma clarified, "Pride East Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. is an independent entity in existence since 2006 with business interests in varied sectors. It is a law-abiding company with all its financial records in the public domain. With a long & successful business track record, Pride East Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. – like any other qualifying enterprise – is eligible to participate in government-supported programs/incentive schemes."
She further emphasized that, in the case of the PM Kisan Sampada Scheme, her company had neither claimed nor received any government subsidy despite meeting all eligibility criteria.
Riniki Bhuyan Sarma's statement continued, "This is nothing but an attack to malign and defame a 17-year old Assamese enterprise, which has adhered to every aspect of the law, headed by a woman entrepreneur. To protect the reputation of our hardworking employees from this slanderous campaign of Sri Gaurav Gogoi – Hon’ble Member of Parliament, I am thereby constrained to file a case of defamation with Rs 10 crore in damages against him in the court of law."
Earlier in the day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in response to Gaurav Gogoi's allegations, vowed to retire from public life if the allegations were proven true. On social media platform X, he wrote, "The reply itself clarifies the fact that the Government of India has not released any funds to the mentioned company. I want to emphasize once again that neither my wife nor the company she is associated with has received or claimed any amount from the Government of India. If anyone can provide evidence to the contrary, I am willing to accept any punishment, including retirement from public life."
The Chief Minister also clarified his position on the matter, denying the claims made by Gaurav Gogoi.
Gaurav Gogoi had initially taken to social media, accusing the Chief Minister of using his influence to secure a Rs 10 crore credit-linked subsidy for his wife's company. He questioned whether central government schemes were meant to benefit the ruling BJP party.
Sharing an image of the scheme’s beneficiary list, Gogoi wrote, "PM Modi launched the Kisan Sampada scheme to double the income of farmers in India. But in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma used his influence to help his wife’s firm get Rs 10 crore as part of a credit-linked subsidy. Are central government schemes meant to enrich the BJP?"
Gaurav Gogoi also referenced the Ministry of Food Processing website to support his claims, stating, "The Ministry of Food Processing website clearly shows the name of the person and the company she is associated with. The Rs 10 crore government grant has also been approved. Please report to the Union Minister if their website has been hacked."
In response, CM Sarma reiterated his stance, stating, "I would like to reiterate again with full responsibility that my wife and the company she is associated with have not taken or received any subsidies from the Government of India."
Gaurav Gogoi continued to provide links to the Ministry of Food Processing website, emphasizing the authenticity of his claims.
The Pradhanmantri Kisan Sampada Yojana is a comprehensive scheme aimed at boosting the food processing sector in India, benefitting farmers by increasing their income, creating employment opportunities, promoting processed food exports, and reducing food wastage.
As this controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will develop and whether the allegations against Pride East Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. will be substantiated or debunked in the court of law. The case underscores the complexity of politics, business, and allegations of impropriety in India's vibrant democracy.
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