Govindas reveals scheme irregularities in A&VH
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 14 2012:
Disclosing that funds allocated for implementing Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY) in the last three financial years were found to have embezzled by officials of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Minister Govindas Konthoujam today announced suspension of some top officials.
Making the disclosure to newspersons, who were part of the Minister's inspection visits to Kangpokpi and Kanglatongbi areas today, Govindas stated that Central Government provided funds for taking up RKVY programmes in the state in 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 but officials concerned could not point out or explain where the projects have been implemented.
As such some of the Department officials have been put under suspension pending an enquiry, said the Minister without specifying where the RKVY programmes were meant for implementation or names of the censured officials.
While none of the officials directly linked with the programmes were clueless about the project sites the funds were detected deposited in the personal accounts of these officials, he informed.
Expressing that the Department needs honest and committed officials for ensuring development in the veterinary and animal husbandry sector as the budgetary allocation is only Rs 5.7 crores, the Minister also sought the support and cooperation of cattle farmers/rearers at the grassroots level.
During his inspection visit, Govindas found the Insemination centre cum Veterinary Hospital at Kangpokpi in a pathetic condition with the staff quarters occupied by the locals.
Inspite of completion of the Hospital complexes the same facility could not be formally inaugurated consequent to the outbreak of the kuki-Naga ethnic clashes.
Members of the Kangpokpi Town Committee, who were also present during the inspection proposed in the form of a memorandum that the Hospital be shifted to some other locations and the same complex developed as a market centre with multi-facility hall, to which Govindas assured that the Government will act according to wish and aspiration of the people.
At Tulibari near Kanglatongbi, the Minister was visibly upset on seeing dilapidated condition of the Regional Cattle Breeding Farm office, which was reportedly constructed nearly four decades back and inaugurated by the then Chief Minister RK Dorendra Singh on October 20, 1975.About 20 indigenous cows could be spotted at the farm during the inspection visit.
Informing that the Breeding Centre was specifically set up to preserve and develop indigenous cow species, Govindas explained that inspite of inferiority in terms of milk production, indigenous cows are highly suitable for agricultural purposes such as ploughing of fields due to its built and resilience.
Stressing on preserving the indigenous cows, the Minister stated that three mobile veterinary clinics would be operationalised at the earliest to control animal diseases and its spread to the human populace.
Similarly, no less than three mobile veterinary clinics would be placed in each of the districts.
Kangpokpi AC MLA Nemcha Kipgen, who accompanied the Minister during the inspection visits, conveyed her desire to maintain cordial relationship with the Ministers concerned in order to bring development in the constituency.
The MLA also informed that Minister Govindas obliged her invitation to undertake the tour.