Assam suspends Hailakandi agriculture head over farmer registry progress
District Agricultural Officer Manoj Kumar Baishya was suspended following a review of poor registration figures for a flagship scheme.
The Assam government has suspended Hailakandi District Agricultural Officer Manoj Kumar Baishya following a review of the Farmer Registry scheme, according to The Assam Tribune.
Agriculture Minister Pijush Hazarika chaired a review meeting on October 29 where the progress of the registry in Hailakandi was described as severely negligible.
The Agriculture Department issued the suspension order on October 30. The department alleged that Baishya, who also serves as Assistant Director of Agriculture, failed to provide effective oversight and monitoring of subordinate officers.
The order stated that the lack of supervision led to poor generation of Farmer IDs and the absence of field staff during enrolment drives. Five Agriculture Development Officers in the district were previously suspended for alleged lapses in field duties.
During the review, Hazarika noted that only eight farmers were registered in the district on that day, compared to 12 the previous day. He said that ADOs must spend three to four hours a day in the field.
While under suspension, Baishya must remain at the Office of the Joint Director of Agriculture in Silchar. He is prohibited from engaging in private business or leaving his headquarters without permission.