IVA seeks appointment of new Director
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 08 2024: The Indian Veterinary Association (IVA), Manipur Branch has sought appointment of a new Director of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services as per Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Service Rule 1994 and Fundamental Rules and Supplementary Service Rules (FRSR) .

After the retirement of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Director Dr Ng Ibotombi on February 29 last, IVA Manipur Branch submitted a representation to Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Khashim Vashum seeking appointment of a new Director from amongst the eligible senior Joint Directors.

IVA Manipur held a special meeting on February 4 on the appointment of a new Director, sources said.

In line with the decisions adopted at the meeting, representations were submitted to Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Khashim Vashum, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, the department's Secretary and other concerned authorities seeking appointment of a new Director from amongst the eligible Joint Directors so that the department can function to its full potential.

As per Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Service Rules 1994, the department should have served as Joint Director on regular service for at least four years.

He/she should be a post graduate and diploma holder in one of the disciplines of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Science.

According to an office memorandum issued by the Special Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms on March 9, 2021, one should be in possession of integrity clearance given by Vigilance and there should not be any pending departmental enquiry if he/she should be considered for the Veterinary Department's post of regular Director in-charge, said the sources.

However, departmental enquiry was going on against Director Dr Ng Ibotombi in connection with the allegations that he appointed himself as the Managing Director of Manipur Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited fraudulently and he misappropriated funds sanctioned for implementation of the National Programme for Dairy Development.

Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Khashim Vashum tabled a report of the departmental enquiry committee during the recent State Assembly session on March 1.A Cabinet meeting held on February 24 decided to extend the service period of Director Dr Ng Ibotombi by one year even though he was attaining the age of superannuation on February 29 .

In the meantime, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Joint Director Kshetrimayum Sidharth submitted an application on February 8 to the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Director asking if there was any pending case against Dr Ng Ibotombi.

As Dr Ng Ibotombi was retiring on February 29, due process for appointment of a new Director was initiated on 22 .

There are three officers in the department who are eligible for the post of Director and had served as regular Joint Director for four years.

They are RK Khogendrajit Singh, Dr L Arunkumar Singh and Dr L Gojen Singh.

They are already in possession of integrity certificates given by the Vigilance.

The Department of Personnel even initiated due process on February 24 to issue an official order for appointment of senior most Joint Director RK Khogendrajit as Director in-charge, said the sources.

But the State Cabinet adopted a decision on the same day to extend the service period of Dr Ng Ibotombi by one year.

As per manipur Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Service Rules, the age of superannuation for doctors working in Veterinary Services is 62.At the same time, Rule No 56 of the Fundamental Rules and Supplementary Service Rules provides that service period of an employee who has reached the age of superannuation may be extended, if necessary.

But the same rule clearly says that no such employee should be given administrative posts/duties.

The way the service period of Dr Ng Ibotombi has been extended in total violation of the service rules has created a deep sense of resentment among the veterinary doctors, the sources added.

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