CPI and AITUC Stage Protest at Agriculture Directorate, Demand Probe into Alleged Irregularities

The CPI Ranchi district unit, AITUC and Jharkhand Andolankari Sangharsh Morcha jointly staged a protest and gherao of the Agriculture Directorate in Ranchi on Thursday, alleging corruption in the department and distribution of substandard agricultural materials to farmers.

The protest began with a large rally from CMPDI, led by CPI Ranchi district secretary Ajay Singh, AITUC leaders Ashok Yadav and Pushkar Mahto, and farmer leader Tara Singh Munda. A large number of farmers and women participated in the rally.

The protesters demanded an investigation into alleged irregularities in the Agriculture Directorate, particularly the awarding of work orders to companies that had reportedly been blacklisted. They also called for strict action against officials and companies found responsible for supplying materials that did not meet prescribed standards.

After reaching the Agriculture Bhawan premises, the rally turned into a public meeting. Addressing the gathering, Ajay Singh alleged that a major scam had taken place in the Agriculture Directorate, which he claimed was even bigger than the fodder scam. He further alleged that farmers had been supplied substandard materials.

Singh questioned why companies whose products were reportedly found below the required standards in testing conducted by the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) were allegedly being awarded work orders again.

He specifically referred to Bharat Drip Irrigation and Agro Company, alleging that it had been blacklisted and that the Hazaribagh Deputy Commissioner had recommended registration of a case against the company. Singh alleged that despite this, the company was subsequently given work orders and payments, and called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the decisions.

The protesters further alleged that 14 blacklisted companies were given relief despite failing to meet prescribed conditions. They demanded that payments to the companies concerned be withheld until a fresh CIPET investigation report is received and called for an SIT probe into the entire matter.

AITUC leaders Ashok Yadav and Pushkar Mahto warned that if an investigation is not initiated within seven days, the organisations would launch an indefinite sit-in outside the Agriculture Directorate.

The allegations raised during the protest are yet to be independently established. A detailed inquiry would be required to determine whether any rules were violated, whether substandard materials were actually supplied and whether officials or companies were responsible for any irregularities.
 

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