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Punjab chargesheets two senior Agriculture officials in pesticide scam

October 06, 2015 12:10 AM

Punjab News Express
CHANDIGARH: Punjab government has charge sheeted two senior officials of Agriculture department for theit alleged involvement in pesticide scam. Director Agriculture Mangal Singh Sandhu has already been suspended and arrested by Police.

A government spokesman said that the Deputy Director (Cotton Extension) Parminder Singh and then Joint Director Agriculture Balwinder Singh Sohal have been chargsheeted for a major punishment under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970.

The spokesperson said that this decision has been taken in wake of the enquiry report submitted to the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal this evening. The Enquiry Officer has reported serious irregularities/violations in purchase of pesticides by the Director as a result the matter needs to be investigated further to ascertain reasons for such irregularities. Thus, the entire report has been referred to the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab for further investigation since he has already constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into spurious sale of pesticides in the state.

Divulging the details of the report, the spokesperson further revealed that the enquiry officer observed that then Director Agriculture preferred to purchase Oberan pesticide at his own level thus ignoring the orders of Agriculture Minister that too without examining it technically and adopting e-tendering process besides without seeking approval from the competent authority thereby exceeding his financial powers. The Chief Minister has further directed the Agriculture Department to take resolute action to punish the guilty at all costs.

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