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Mengal briefed on right-sizing in B'stan Agri, food, fisheries deptts

LAILA A ALI

QUETTA: An its right-sizing drive to determine optimum size of the departments of Agriculture, research and engineering, food and fisheries, the Balochistan Government would put 1,084 extra personnel in surplus pool effecting saving of 65-294 million, with immediate effect.

This has been stated by the provincial Agriculture, Food, Fisheries Secretary Maj Tariq Shafi Chak, while briefing Balochistan Governor Justice Amir-ul-Mulk Mengal (Retd) on the performance of these departments here.

These extra personnel include 557 in Agriculture Extension, 412 in Agricultural Engineering, 67 in Agricultural Research, 23 in Fisheries and 25 in Food sections of the provincial Food and Agriculture Ministry. Tariq added, to effect another saving, 469 vehicles have been recovered from these departments; 285 from Director General Extension; 63 from Director General Research; 45 from Director Agri Engineering 38 from Food, 15 from Director Fisheries, 10 from Balochistan Agriculture College, eight from Registrar Cooperative and five from Fish Harbour, Pasni.

He also apprised Mengal that each entitled officer and now been allowed to use one vehicle for official use.

The governor was also apprised by the Secretary on maintaining discipline, in the Food Department, 40 cases had been initiated against officers and staff. Of these, 31 had been suspended and committed to the court for trial. Three more officials had been suspended. Charges against them have been framed. Four officials had been arrested. Two officers have been made OSD. To ensure honesty, he added, declaration of assets from 60 percent officers from grade-16 and above have been obtained.

The assets of officials from grade 5 to 15 are being collected. There has now been total elimination of ghost employees with no more ghost employees in the provincial Food and Agriculture Ministry. About supervision, Tariq said that all officers from provincial to district levels have been directed for regular and effective touring to monitor performance of their respective fields, on the spot.

Mengal was also informed that based on the new system of inspection, the follow-up action on the inspection reports would be ensured.