BJP MP Lumba Ram also received financial assistance under the National Horticulture Board (NHB) scheme during the past five years. In a written reply to the House, Minister of State for Agriculture Ramnath Thakur said NHB provides financial assistance as a credit-linked, back-ended capital investment subsidy to eligible farmers and entrepreneurs. “The bank concerned has been directed to return the subsidy amount to NHB,” the minister said. Thakur said the existing NHB scheme guidelines do not contain any specific provision on conflict of interest or recusal for applications submitted by public functionaries or their immediate family members. Under the scheme, project land must be owned by the applicant or held on lease for at least 10 years, with the arrangement reflected in revenue records.