Begusarai, Bihar: Union minister and Begusarai MP Giriraj Singh on Tuesday dismissed claims that the Union agriculture ministry was planning to move the Indian Institute of Maize Research (IIMR) and Seed Production Centre from Begusarai to Shivamogga in Karnataka. He accused the opposition of “spreading rumors” for political purposes, reported The Times of India.
“I had a detailed telephonic conversation with Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on January 17 regarding this issue. He assured me that the center would not be relocated, considering the interests of farmers in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country,” Singh stated. He alleged that the opposition was attempting to tarnish the NDA government’s image and exploit the issue for political gains.
On Tuesday, Singh’s local office released a letter he had sent to Chouhan, urging him once again to keep the center in Begusarai. He also confirmed that he had spoken with the secretary of the concerned department. “An official letter revoking the earlier order will be issued soon,” he assured.
The controversy escalated on social media on Monday evening after an alleged letter from Chouhan to Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra surfaced. In the letter, Chouhan stated, “I feel privileged to inform you that during the XVth Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26), the IIMR Ludhiana Regional Station at Begusarai has been approved for shifting to Shivamogga.” The letter was reportedly in response to Raghavendra’s request for an IIMR centre in his constituency.
Leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, criticized the decision on social media. “What problem do PM Narendra Modi, the NDA, and the BJP have with Bihar that they are shifting the IIMR Center from the state?” he questioned in a post on X.
Purnia MP Pappu Yadav alleged that despite his strong ties with the BJP leadership, Giriraj Singh had failed to prevent the relocation.
Economist Zikrullah Khan, head of the Department of economics at G D College, said that shifting the IIMR center would be a setback for local farmers. “Over the years, this region has become the maize bowl of the country. Maize is a cash crop here, extensively used as both human and cattle feed by low-income people,” he explained.
