Inspite of the Governor’s order and in violation of a Government order, only one of the 14 domains and hatcheries under the State Fisheries department was handed over to the Uttarakhand Fish Farmers Development Agency.
This and various other anomalies in the workings of the department were revealed by Uttarakhand Kranti Dal leader Pramod Kumar Dobhal on the basis of information received under the Right To Information Act. Addressing the media here on Wednesday, Dobhal said that officials in various departments were blatantly indulging in corruption in violation of various regulations at the cost of the public.
He accused officers of the State Fisheries department and joint director of the State Fisheries Directorate Dr SR Chanyal of orchestrating major irregularities in blatantly indulging in corruption. “In the construction of the fish feed plant at Bairagna fishery domain in Chamoli district, Chanyal orchestrated various anomalies due to which the project was not executed as intended. In the Satpuli fishery domain, construction work was executed without a contract or agreement being signed.
The joint director gave the work to his connections to gain ulterior benefit. Information procured under RTI Act reveals that between 2010 and 2013, Rs 58,897 was spent on the Dhakrani fishery domain while only Rs 27,550 was earned here, which is questionable. Between 2006 and 2013 not a single employee of the department has been given work related training which is also questionable considering the importance of keeping abreast of latest developments to improve productivity,” said Dobhal.
He further said that as per the order of the Governor and a government order issued in March 2011, the 14 fishery domains and hatcheries under the department were to be handed over to the Uttarakhand Fish Farmers Development Agency.
“However, till date only the Dhakrani hatchery has been handed over to the UFFDA as Chanyal continues to dishonor the Governor’s order and the GO by not transferring the remaining 13 domains and hatcheries. There are anomalies in the appointments of officials in the department while the department staff continues to work without any answerability at the cost of public interest,” he said.
Dobhal, who has also complained to the Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna about these anomalies, has sought an inquiry against the alleged irregularities orchestrated by Chanyal. He has demanded that department officials found indulging in corruption or not fulfilling their responsibilities should be relieved of their post without delay in public interest.