20000103

H'abad Agriculture

Dept director

suspended

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Secretary Zubair Kidwai has ordered suspension of former Director General Agriculture Department Sindh (extension), Mohammed Akram Malik.

According to a government announcement here on Sunday, Akram Malik, currently posted as Director Agriculture, Hyderabad (Extension), has been charged of corruption and misuse of powers. The CS has ordered investigation against him.

The suspended official has been charged of misappropriating funds amounting Rs 1.32 million on account of training to pesticide dealers. No training of dealers ever took place, it was charged.

Moreover, he alleged ordered temporary registration of 20 pesticide companies which is in violation of the Agriculture Pesticide Ordinance of 1973.

Misusing powers, he also recruited people in various grades in the Agriculture Extension Wing despite of the ban on jobs. Similarly, jobs were given despite of the completion of the project for improvement of crop estimation. Permanent employees were transferred and incompetent persons were appointed.

Sindh governor has already issued directives to Anti-Corruption Department for investigation against him.ÑAPP