District Sheep Husbandry Officer refuses to clear debt, alleges employee ‘I have been made scapegoat to save influential’

Srinagar: An employee from Sheep Husbandry Department Friday once again alleged that he was made scapegoat while the ‘influential’ ones were not touched during the investigation related to the purchasing of livestock illegally in market without screening.

He said four months have expired and there is still no outcome of the investigation. “Only I have been attached with the Direction Office Srinagar while no action has been initiated against the others,” In Charge Stock Assistant at Sheep Extension Centre Mughal Pora village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Muhammad Maqbool Shah told news agency KNT.

He blamed District Sheep Husbandry Officer Pulwama for foul play and said that this officer misinformed the Director and got him attached to Direction Office Srinagar.

While accusing District Sheep Husbandry Officer Pulwama of unnecessary harassment he said this officer intends to grab the money which he had lent to him and despite having proof about the money transaction, no action is being taken against the officer.

Shah who emerged in Press Enclave on Friday said that District Officer Sheep Husbandry Pulwama, Dr Muhammad Shafi Mir purchased live stock from local market without screening. “Among them, the officer issued two rams (live stock) for my Centre in March 2018. It is illegal to purchase live stock without screening and when higher authorities came to know about it, they formed a Committee to probe the matter.

“I presented a ‘true’ picture which didn’t go down well with the District Officer and he started harassing me and even refused to pay the money which he had borrowed from me against a proper receipt.”

After this Committee, the investigation was taken up by Director and Deputy Director at Direction Office Srinagar.

“During investigation, the names of some officers emerged in the purchasing of rams illegally from the market. These include Technical Officer Dr Basharat, Block Officer Tral Dr Rafi, Block Officer Shadimarg Dr Mustafa and Block Officer Pulwama Abdul Majeed, beside District Sheep Husbandry Officer Pulwama and some other clerical staff. Only I am being targeted and is attached from past 4 months. If the investigation is complete, why it is not being made public? Dilly dally tactics are being used to save the influential employees,” he said and sought intervention of Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner Secretary.

Muhammad Maqbool Shah claimed that the District Officer had borrowed Rs 3.72 lakh from him when he was constructing his house at KP Road Anantnag. “District Officer is in no mood to clear my debts and yet no action is being initiated against him.

Director Sheep Husbandry Abdul Salam said that as for as clearing debts is concerned, it is a personal matter but still he has asked District Officer to explain his position.

He however, said the Committee constituted by Department has held Muhammad Maqbool Shah responsible and they have reported that he has replaced two rams of high breed with lower ones. “He will remain attached with Direction Office till inquiry is completed,” Abdul Salam told. (KNT)