14 agri dept officials suspended

Over a dozen government officials, including an agriculture extension officer, were today placed under suspension for dereliction of duties and failure to reach out to farmers in Baramulla district of north Kashmir.
The officials were placed under suspension by Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Peerzada Mushtaq Ahmad during a tour of several areas of Baramulla district during which he had a direct interaction with the farmers, an official spokesman said.
During a meeting at Guthiyaar village - just one kilometer from Baramulla district town, the Director was told that so far no officials from the department has visited the village or the farmers were provided any incentive.

"The Director on the basis of feedback from farmers placed incharge agriculture extension officer Barkat Ali Khan and his field staff under suspension," the spokesman said.
Earlier, the Director conducted a surprise inspection of the Sub Divisional Agriculture Office at Pattan and found 14 officials absent from duty, the spokesman said, adding all the 14 officials were placed under suspension.