Malik Jehangir:
SRINAGAR: A huge chunk of amount meant for the development of agriculture and farmers in the different districts of Kashmir valley under the centrally sponsored schemes is being spent on non-productive activities.
Sources said that this amount is spent on the lunch and other ‘refreshment’ of the incumbent Director Agriculture Kashmir who seldom remains present in his office chamber at Lal Mandi here. They said that the Director is on tour on almost all the working days of the week and as such remains absent from his office.
“There is no day in the week when the Director does not pay a visit to any district or any other place in Kashmir. As a result of this the office chamber of Director Agriculture Kashmir remains deserted. He seems to enjoy his stint as the head of the department and does not miss out on outside visits,” said sources.
Sources said that since the Director Agriculture carries out the tour for the entire day the concerned Chief Agriculture Officer has to arrange for the lunch, tea and other refreshment. They said the amount in this regard gets deducted from the amount earmarked for the development of agriculture and farmers under the centrally sponsored schemes.
“In most of the cases the amount is deducted from the funds meant for centrally sponsored schemes. As such the development of agriculture and development of farmers takes a hit with the non-important things taking the centre stage. Since the head of department is flouting rules there is no accountability whatsoever,” said sources.
Sources said that in some cases where the amount is not adequate or available the refreshment charges are managed through the contribution made by the Agriculture Extension Assistants (AEAs). They said that AEAs are forced to contribute even if they are not willing to entertain their ‘ultimate’ boss.
Sources said that there is no check on the amount spent on fuel of the vehicle being used by the Director while making visits to the different districts as well as other places of Kashmir valley. They said that an audit needs to be conducted so that the true picture comes to the fore.