₹3.5 Crore Panchgavya Scheme Scam Exposed in Madhya Pradesh: Funds Meant for Cancer Research Spent on Luxury and Travel

Jabalpur:
A major financial scandal has surfaced in Madhya Pradesh’s Panchgavya Scheme, revealing alleged misappropriation of nearly ₹3.5 crore that was earmarked for research into treating serious diseases, including cancer, using cow dung, cow urine and milk. Instead of scientific research, the funds were allegedly diverted by officials towards personal luxury, vehicle purchases and frequent air travel.

According to findings by a district-level inquiry committee, the money released to Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary University was spent without clear guidelines or accountability. The scheme, launched by the state government in 2011, aimed to promote research on traditional Panchgavya-based remedies. However, irregularities reportedly began from the very start, eventually leading to the scheme being discontinued in 2018.

Inflated Purchases and Questionable Expenses

The investigation revealed that around ₹1.92 crore was shown as expenditure on raw materials such as cow dung, cow urine, pots, machinery and other items. Shockingly, machines that reportedly cost ₹15–20 lakh in the open market were purchased at highly inflated prices. In addition, around ₹15 lakh was spent on furniture and electronic items.

Officials associated with the project allegedly undertook more than 20 air journeys in the name of “research,” visiting cities such as Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Bengaluru. The probe also found that ₹7.5 lakh was spent on purchasing a new car, while another ₹7 lakh went towards fuel, maintenance and repairs. An additional ₹3.5 lakh was paid as labour charges for vehicle upkeep.

Training Claims Under Scanner

The inquiry team further questioned claims of farmer training under the scheme. Records showed that training programmes were allegedly conducted between 2016 and 2020, but attendance lists were found to be poorly maintained, written on plain paper and, in several cases, lacking dates. Investigators suspect that these programmes may have existed only on paper.

Senior Officials Under Suspicion

Names of several officials and researchers, including Dr Yashpal Sahni, Dr Sachin Kumar Jain and researcher Giriraj Singh, have emerged during the probe. The inquiry has also indicated that the role of some senior university officials could be suspicious. The investigation report prepared by Deputy Collector Raghuveer Singh Maravi and District Treasury Officer Vinayaki Lakra has been submitted to the Jabalpur Collector and forwarded to the Divisional Commissioner.

University’s Defence

Responding to the allegations, Vice-Chancellor of Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary College, Mandeep Sharma, stated that the Panchgavya Scheme ran from 2011 to 2018 and that all technical and financial reports had been submitted to the funding agencies. He claimed that the accounts were audited and no irregularities were flagged at the time.

Despite this defence, the revelations have raised serious questions about accountability, misuse of public funds and the credibility of research conducted under government-sponsored schemes. Further action is expected once the administration reviews the inquiry report in detail.