Punjab Agri Minister suspends two officials

Chandigarh, Nov 19 (UNI) Punjab Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah has ordered the immediate suspension of two officials of the Agricultural Department on charges of negligence and dereliction of duties.

The action was taken after the Minister alongwith the Secretary and the Joint Secretary of Agriculture conducted a surprise check yesterday at the Agricultural Directorate and found that a lot of financial irregularities were committed by the two officials in the ongoing renovation work in the department. The work was assigned and initiated without following the properly laid down norms and without even calling the quotations.

The two employees of the department, Karnail Singh and Bhudev were placed under suspension as they were found directly involved in the financial irregularities.

The Minister has sought a detailed report regarding the irregularities from the Secretary and Joint Secretary of the department within a week.

During suspension the headquarters of Karnail Singh, Horticulture Officer and Bhudev, Store Keeper were fixed at Gurdaspur and Mansa respectively, an official spokesman here today stated.

Taking a serious view of the financial discrepancies, the Minister has asked Mr H S Dhillon, Secretary and Mr Gurwaryam Singh, Joint Secretary of the department to directly supervise the utilisation of the funds released by the Central Government under various Horticulture Mission Programmes.

UNI HS MMS1741