No probe against officials without my nod: Minister

Singh has also summoned files pertaining to inquiries under way without his approval.

Even Raja Anand Singh’s deputy Manoj Pandey,the minister of state,appeared unhappy with the restriction. “What can I say? Don’t put me in a tight spot,” Pandey said.

The matter has also reached Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav who has reportedly assured to have a word with Raja Anand Singh.

Complaints received against employees and officials in the agriculture department are now being forwarded to the minister. “For conducting any inquiry against anybody,even a peon,we now need to send the file to the minister for approval. Since we cannot send it directly,it is done through at least six officials,” a senior official stated.

While issuing the directives,Raja Anand Singh said people with vested interests submit complaints with fake names and an inquiry is instituted by the government.

The Minister also said he was apprised of this practice by some senior officials of agriculture department in person. “We receive complaints without names and addresses. It is done by a group of people who manage to get an inquiry instituted and later blackmail the officials. We will now first check the authenticity of every complainant and then proceed with the inquiry. Nothing more should be read in this order,” Raja Anand Singh stated defending his decision.

Sources said Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Alok Ranjan,acting on a complaint in March,had constituted an inquiry in the supply of micro-nutrients and biopesticides in the agriculture department.

Vinay Prakash Srivastava,Director,State Agriculture Management Institute,which is situated at Rehman Kheda in Lucknow,was appointed the inquiry officer.

Srivastava,in his report dated April 15,mentioned that biopesticides was procured by 30 districts from the UP State Agro Industrial Corporation Limited in violation of the norms.

The agency had no expertise in biopesticides and their handling,and had entered into an agreement with one Balaji Crop Care Private Limited,Hyderabad,for supplying biopesticides. Srivastava also mentioned that Agriculture Director,Additional Director (Plant Protection),and Mission Director were involved in the anomalies committed during the purchase in connivance with a supply mafia and suggested their removal. The report caused a storm in the agriculture department.

Mukesh Gautam,Director,UP Seeds Corporation,has been appointed the inquiry officer in the fresh inquiry. Gautam is yet to start his

inquiry.