Action Taken Against Agriculture Officers in Hailakandi for Registration Lapses
Minister Reviews Agriculture Department Performance
Hailakandi, Oct 30: In a significant move, five agriculture development officers (ADOs) in Hailakandi have received 36-hour show-cause notices due to deficiencies in the ongoing farmer registration process and their failure to conduct essential field visits.
This decision came after a review meeting led by Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Pijush Hazarika, where he expressed deep concern regarding the district's inadequate farmer registration statistics.
The minister pointed out that the five officers—Akashdeep Karigapsa, Aditya Bezbaruah, Rajibul Haque Molla, Priyanku Majumdar, and Madhurjya Hazarika—did not fulfill their duty of conducting field visits, which is a fundamental aspect of their roles.
“Each ADO is expected to spend three to four hours daily in the field. However, when questioned about their recent visits, they admitted to not having visited at all the previous day,” Hazarika stated.
He linked the district's low registration numbers to the officers' lack of field engagement, noting that only eight farmers were registered on the day of the review, a slight decrease from twelve the day before.
“This situation is unacceptable, and any work-related negligence will not be tolerated,” the minister emphasized, indicating that the notices were issued to demand satisfactory explanations for their lack of presence.
The officers must justify why they should not face suspension for neglecting their field responsibilities. Hazarika warned that unsatisfactory responses could lead to disciplinary action.
On social media, Hazarika remarked that the notices were a result of the ADOs' “chronic absence from field duties,” which he claimed had hindered farmer registrations.
“Public service requires unwavering dedication—any negligence that affects our farming community will result in strict consequences,” he reiterated, stressing that immediate suspension could follow if their explanations are deemed inadequate.
The minister mentioned that while the authorities have the power to suspend the officers under existing regulations, they have allowed a 36-hour window for responses before making a final decision.
In a related note, Hazarika cautioned fertiliser suppliers against selling fertiliser from Assam to other states, stating that such sales would only be permitted to Mizoram.
He confirmed that this directive had been communicated to fertiliser suppliers statewide and warned that violations would lead to the cancellation of licenses and potential criminal charges.
Strict measures will be enforced against suppliers found engaging in unauthorized interstate fertiliser sales.
Earlier in the day, the government announced a substantial irrigation investment of Rs 1,500 crore over four years aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in Hailakandi, Cachar, and Sribhumi districts.