Guwahati, April 27 -- In another major embarrassment forAssam'sWelfare of Plains Tribes and Backward Classes (WPT&BC) Department, a fresh Rs 5.36 crore scam has surfaced over the procurement of agricultural equipment meant for tribal farmers.

The Directorate of WPT&BChad awarded a contract to Guwahati-based Trade Supply (India) on January 12, 2021, to supply 28,153 battery-operated Knapsack Sprayers (16-litre capacity) across the state through Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDPs).

The approved procurement rate was Rs 3,555 per sprayer, inclusive of GST.

However, Dhekiajuli-based RTI activist Dilip Nath dropped a bombshell on Sunday, citing RTI documents that revealed the actual market price of the sprayers was only Rs 1,655, ...