Seeds of Corruption in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): Part 3

 The Master Seed (the breeder seed) of Corruption in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

What to do when a higher competent authority decides to appoint one Corrupt-Fraud-Embezzler Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra first as DG-ICAR and Now much more?

 By Dr. Sandeep Pahal 

Advocate

(Filed several complaints about this prolific and weather-resistant seed of corruption. The complaints were filed time and again to 1. Mr. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, New Delhi; 2. Union of India through Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India, New Delhi; 3.  Mr. Rajiv Gauba, Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India, Chairman ASRB, New Delhi; 4. Secretary (by name), GoI, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, New Delhi (Kindly inform the concerned authorities); 5. Director (by name), CBI, New Delhi; 6.Chief Vigilance Commissioner (by name), Central Vigilance Commission, New Delhi. But of no avail, seems as if the whole system has rotten.

1.       Dr. Trilochan Mahapatra, Former DG, ICAR has been nominated for the post of Chairperson, PPVR & Farmers Right Authority, but the result is kept in abeyance. In fact, planning is that meanwhile he will be placed as Chairperson, ASRB, New Delhi. Thus to accommodate him two very important posts were kept in abeyance.

2.       A powerful officer of the PMO and other anti-agriculture/farmer forces are trying to select Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra for the position of chairman of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB-Chairman). This is the same Mohapatra who once grabbed the post of Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (DG-ICAR) without application and without qualification. At that time, the search- cum- selection committee had shortlisted 8 names out of the total 36 applications received and later on added Mahapatra's name on their behalf and also selected them for the position of DG-ICAR for a regular tenure of 5 years, and also gave one-year extension followed by three months service extension.

3. The story is that, in Feb 2022, the post of chairperson ASRB was advertised, but at its initial inception, Dr. Mahapatra was one of the members of the Selection Committee. But when he realized that his tenure as DG, ICAR would not be extended, then he dropped the position of member Selection Committee and submitted his bio-data for the post of Chairman ASRB by back door entry after closing dates.

4.       Dr. Mohapatra had attempted to adopt the same hit formula for getting the post of ASRB Chairman. The search -cum- selection committee for the post of ASRB Chairman about an advertisement made in 2022, in which Dr. Mohapatra was a member; called 7 candidates for an interview on 09.05.2022 but the interview was postponed due to unknown reasons. After this the real game started, Dr. Mohapatra resigns from the post of member of the search -cum- selection committee and the same search committee nominated him and 02 other scientists separately as dummy candidates for an interview on 08.06.2022. But the interview of 08.06.2022 was also postponed due to a complaint dated 06.06.2022 written by an advocate of the Supreme Court for the irregularity said above. Then, the search -cum- selection committee, after canceling the nomination of the three scientists including the nomination of Dr. Mohapatra, took the interview of the original 7 candidates on 12.08.2022 and made a panel of three scientists and sent it to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) of the government of India through DOPT, on which no action was taken and returned back to DARE for advertisement.

5.       Three times interviews for the post of Chairman ASRB for the 2022 advertisement have been postponed to accommodate him, however, finally looking into complicacy in his selection, the interview was held and the panel was prepared and forwarded to DOPT and finally to ACC. However, that panel was dropped and sent back to DARE, New Delhi without assigning any reason for the same, because the idea was to accommodate Dr. T. Mahapatra.

6.       Now in January 2023, again the post of Chairman ASRB was advertised to accommodate Dr. Mahapatra. Now everything has been planned purposefully and the interview is scheduled by the competent authority.

7. An interesting thing is why the selection procedure adopted in 2022 was rejected without any assigning reason thereof and then why again the post was advertised in 2023.

8.       When Dr. Mahapatra withdrew his candidature from the post of ASRB Chairman in the 2022 advertisement on opposition raised by several persons, then why he has been allowed entry in the 2023 advertisement. The important question is why policymakers have not finalized candidates for the post of Chairman ASRB through advertisements made in 2022.

9.       Further, when a competent authority has selected him as Chairperson in PPVR & FR in December 2022, then why the offer was not given to him to date. It is a clear-cut conspiracy and a step towards placing Dr. Mahapatra as Chairman of ASRB. It is only because he is the most corrupt person and earned money like anything during DG's tenure and even as acting Chairman of ASRB. It is a clear-cut case of corruption and vigilance.

10.    It is in the public domain how Dr. Mohapatra reduced the performance of ICAR during his tenure of 6 years and 3 months while in the post of DG-ICAR and now if such an incompetent person gets the position of ASRB-Chairman, then he will also bring this board to a dilapidated condition.

11.    According to the information received from the sources, the powerful officer of PMO and anti-agriculture/farmer forces have planned to cancel the panel prepared for ASRB-Chairman in place of the 2022 advertisement and now it will be followed by its re-advertisement and selection of Dr. Mahapatra on this post.

·      Department of Personal & Training, Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances & Pensions, GoI – Handbook For Inquiry Officers and Disciplinary Authorities Chapter -7 –

“Point 4 – What are the cases which may be investigated departmentally?

Cases involving allegations of misconduct other than an offense, or a departmental irregularity or negligence, and those wherein alleged facts are capable of verification or inquiry within the department/office should be investigated departmentally.”

“Point 5 – What are the cases to be referred to CBI or Police?

    Allegations involving offenses punishable under the law which the Delhi Special Police Establishment is authorized to investigate; such as offenses involving bribery, corruption, forgery, cheating, criminal breach of trust, falsification of records, possession of assets disproportionate to the known source of income, etc.”

It is about multiple cases of maladministration, malpractices and RAMPANT ABUSE OF RULE OF LAW in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR, under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare) under the umbrella of Dr. T. Mohapatra. None dares to record the facts and rule under the present DG for fear of severe revengeful acts. CVC, CIC, Judiciary, DoPT, Cabinet Secretariat, PMO, Ministry of Finance, the assurance given by Agriculture Minister to Parliament specific directives are blatantly flouted.

A few illustrative instances, of involvement of the covert and overt involvement of Dr. T. Mohapatra in the crimes committed by his well-oiled SYNDICATE, are as under with evidence; more related evidence shall be collected from original files. Proper investigation in a time-bound manner by independent officers, not associated as serving/retired officers of DARE &ICAR, New Delhi is a must.

      I.          Dr. Rajkumar Singh Ex-Direcrot IVRI, Izzatnagar, Bareilly -

                      I.       The author sent a complaint to various authorities about the Scams by Dr. Rajkumar Singh, the then Director, IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly (U.P.) with evidence for immediate departmental and legal action on 24-07-2020, and an advance copy is also sent to Dr. Rajkumar.

                    II.       ICAR, New Delhi vide letter dated 28^th July 2020 asked to confirm that the complaint was sent by me (the undersigned herein), in response the undersigned sent an Affidavit dated 07-08-2020 for the confirmation of the complaint dated 24-07-2020.

                 III.        A committee headed by Dr. A.K. Tyagi, ADG (at least two ranks junior to the corrupt official, to get the report of his choice as Dr. Tyagi is two ranks junior to Dr. Mohapatra and works under his subordination) was constituted to inquire the complaint dated 24-07-2020.

                  IV.       Through various RTI applications the undersigned tried to get the action taken report on the complaint dated 24-07-2020. Reply dated 23-08-2021 reveals that the complaint of about 100 crores of loss to the exchequer knowingly by Dr. Rajkumar Singh, Director, IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly by misusing his govt. post and by fulfilling his unethical interests, in gross violation of the law, rules, and regulations has executed illegal works and ruined the research work in IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly has been duly closed with the approval of the DG, ICAR.

                    V.       DG ICAR the main culprit behind closing the complaint of corruption of about 100 Crore rupees has been closed by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary DARE & Director General ICAR.

                  VI.       Undersigned has asked for a copy of FIR or legal action taken against the complainant as the closure of the complaint proves that the complaint is false, the reply states NIL.

               VII.       Dr. Mohapatra is instrumental in awarding extensions to several ICAR directors even after their retirement and the present Director of ICAR-NDRI is a live example. These kinds of favors must have some cost in the form of bribes, hiding the crime, etc. He even recommended an extension of Dr. R.K. Singh, ex-Director ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar for two years after his retirement but probably on the complaint of the undersigned, the illegal extension was not materialized.

             VIII.       He is busy with all violations of seniority as he got benefits from it the current example is ‘giving charge of Joint Directors Research and Joint Director CADRAD to much-much junior scientist ignoring seniority of more than 20 principal scientists and head of division in ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly.

   II.          Dr. Indra Mani –

                            i.       Serious cases of corruption received from CVC are willfully not acted upon. Dr. Inder Mani is the Head of, the Division of Agricultural Engineering, at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi. He used to manipulate and collaborate with students to publish fake research papers by misusing his official position while usurping the intellectual property of other scientists of IARI, working under him, for his personal gains and harming other scientists by robbing their scientific achievements.

                           ii.       Many students were awarded Ph.D. degrees through maneuverings and “managing” the support from Dr. Indra Mani. These theses are available in the public domain (http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in) which itself speaks volumes about scientific fraud by the student under the cover of Dr. Indra Mani as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the student.

                         iii.       Dr. Inder Mani knowingly misused his govt. post has committed a breach of trust, misappropriation of public money, and knowingly committed fraudulent acts which is a punishable offense under the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC also.

                         iv.       CVC letters and complaints against Dr. Indra Mani are dumped.

                          v.       Misusing of Govt. vehicle and blow to state exchequer by Dr. Indra Mani can be easily proved by going into the log book of the vehicle he used.

 III.          Mr. Pushpender Kumar, Jt. Dir(Admin), IARI, Pusa, New Delhi –

As per my knowledge, numerous officials have been posted for extraordinarily long tenures at one station, in clear violation of the explicit policy of CVC Circular No 03/09/13 dated 11-09-2013 regarding “Rotation of officials working in the sensitive post”. The complicity of CVO (Mr. Shaleen Agarwal) is also clear. The work distribution (since joining service in ICAR till date) in respect of Mr. Pushpender Kumar too needs critical scrutiny. Hundreds of frauds are done by Mr. Pushpender; one recent illustrative instance should shock any upright officer, as being nourished by Dr. T. Mohapatra. At the end of 2021, a copy of the complaint made by the DGM of Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (UPRNN) was sent by CVC to ICAR for necessary action involving corruption to the tune of Rs. 600 (Rs. Six hundred crores), to begin with. The complaint was about a tender for consultancy services for IARI, Assam which was stage-managed. [The evaluation criterion for the consultancy services was designed so that NPCC (now WAPCOS) gets the contract. There was complete arbitrariness in the evaluation criterion wherein presentation by the prospective firms was kept at 25 marks out of 100, 10 marks were given for having a regional office in North East. Mr. Attari, who had worked earlier as project manager for the work awarded by the IARI (he was later promoted to zonal manager), is at present retired and is acting as a link between IARI and WAPCOS. Mr. O.P. Ola, ex-technical officer with Mr. Pushpender Kr, IARI is also coordinating the construction activities for the contractor engaged by M/s NPCC/WAPCOS] The veil of secrecy in the high decibel corruption case (which is likely to be of higher denomination in the coming days) shall be lifted by fearless officers having above board integrity.[*complete details of following officials’ postings/tenures since joining ICAR shall be obtained by calling for relevant service books/original records. The illustrative names of those concerned in administration and finance, who has been primarily posted in Delhi, in complete violation of CVC directives are Ms. Sunita Sharma, Ms. Rajtarangini Banerjee, Ms. Rajshree Sunil,  Ms. Sanjeevan Prakash, Mr. Pushpender Kumar; Lakshman Singh, K.K. Sharma, Naresh Kumar Arora, V.K. Sharma, Rakesh Bhardwaj, Suresh Kumar Sharma, S.K Gupta (Retd), Prashant Kumar, Prashant Kumar Sharma, Girish Bhatt, Amit Kumar Marwadi, Ravi Dobriyal, Feroz Khan, Dilip Roy, Dinesh Nagpal, Vishal Acharya, Ram Niwas, Vivek Purwar (last three at present at Karnal, Haryana); Arvind Kumar, J.Ravi (ex-Director), Devender Kumar (ex-Director, Finance), Nani Wadekar ex-Dy Secy (vig), K.N. Chaudhary (ex-DS), Kanhaiya Chaudhary (ex-Director), A.K. Maithani (ex Sr.AO)]. 

 IV.          Mr. Ramesh Chand Meena, CAO –

He is a habitual offender against whom many criminal cases are pending in the courts of law.

For consistently defying court orders he has not only been declared absconder but the court has ordered lodging FIR and Dr. T. Mohapatra DG-ICAR is shielding him. Accordingly, FIR No. 1250/2018 in Karnal City police station was lodged and in this connection criminal case no. CHI/3894/2018 was registered. Charges have been framed on 20-11-2019 and witnesses have been asked to depose on 16-08-2022. All these details were/are available in the public domain Dr. T. Mohapatra and CVO Mr. Shaleen Agrawal for huge monetary considerations gave vigilance clearance for his promotion some time back.

    V.          Dr. B. Patnaik -

While serving as Director, of DFMD (Directorate of Foot and Mouth Disease, till 2019) for over a decade he plundered the whole institution. He always tried to ensure that he gained financially through hook or crook. In one such case during May-June, 2015 Dr. B. Patnaik signed one MOU with Arsh Biotech in consultation with Agrinnovate India Ltd. for the development of certain formulations which would purportedly lead to the eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease. There were a lot of illegal financial transactions in the matter between the parties including Dr. K.M.L. Pathak, (the then DDG, Animal Science) with M/s Arsh Biotech. When things went into rough weather and underhand commitments were not fulfilled by Dr. B. Patnaik, M/s Arsh Biotech filed a police case with Inderpuri Police Station [FIR No.304/15; P.S.Inderpuri, New Delhi] to be followed up in Patiala House Court and Dr. Patnaik spent approx Rs. 18 lahks by making payments as litigation charges out of govt. funds. It goes without saying that any criminal case is always made out in a personal capacity and govt./public servant cannot be defended in the manner adopted by Dr. Patnaik. He managed Dr. T. Mohapatra for not making a vigilance case out of his illegal acts in the signing of the MOU with M/s Arsh Biotech.

Dr. Patnaik succeeded to the extent that no vigilance case was made out by ICAR but several approx Rs. 18 lakhs were recovered mainly due to constant insistence from lower officials of vigilance, ICAR. Instead of imposing a major penalty in such very serious cases of misconduct, DG gave him a safe retirement with all pensionary benefits.

While Dr. B. Patnaik was working as Director, of DFMD, he signed an MOU with an International organization started receiving grants (foreign funding), and continued to look after his illegal financial interests. It is relevant to point out that no MOU (any liability created with foreign institutions) can be signed without the due approval of DARE. The same was NOT followed by Dr. Patnaik as he was patronized by Dr. Mohapatra DG-ICAR. Not only that the illegal MOU has been extended further some time back.

I am unaware of the end result of the CBI Inquiry against him.

 VI.          Mr. Santosh Kumar Singh, Director(Law) –

Mr. S.K. Singh got an APPOINTMENT IN ICAR AS LEGAL ADVISER FRAUDULENTLY, COMPLAINTS WERE LODGED BUT DUE TO DEEP ROOTED NEXUS with Dr. T. Mohapatrra, ALL COMPLAINTS WERE CLOSED BY ICAR WITHOUT PROPER INVESTIGATION -

i).              Mr. S.K. Singh despite being over-aged and despite not having the essential qualification of 10 years of active practice as an advocate, applied for the post of Legal Adviser of ICAR. Due to his connivance with other corrupt officials of ICAR (mainly Mr. K.N. Choudhary, the then Under Secretary (Adm.), Mr. S.K. Singh got the rules amended in his favor, in the middle of the recruitment process, got himself shortlisted through his reporting officer for the interview and ultimately, despite lacking the essential qualification of 10 years of active practice as an advocate, got himself fraudulently appointed as Legal Adviser of ICAR vide OM dt. 08-12-2010. Mr. S.K. Singh’s appointment as Legal Adviser, at ICAR, was in furtherance of a well-planned criminal conspiracy among and between officers of ICAR.

ii).             The CIC also found the mode of operation of Mr. S.K. Singh, in the discharge of official duties, ARBITRARY, and directed for inquiry:

The CIC, vide its order dated 16-03-2021 in a second appeal before it, found the integrity of Mr. S.K. Singh doubtful, vide instructions contained in para 7 of its order, and took a very serious view of arbitrariness reflected in his functioning. Accordingly, CIC directed the controlling authority of Mr. S.K. Singh in ICAR Hqrs. to enquire into the matter about Mr. S.K. Singh's official discharge of duties by deputing a suitable senior officer positively within two months from the date of receipt of the order under intimation to the CIC. However, due to his all-encompassing deep-rooted nexus, and undue influence of Mr. S.K. Singh in ICAR, the defaulter himself examined the order of CIC, gave himself a clean chit, got a desired Inquiry Officer nominated through D.G.-ICAR, who is not his controlling officer and got the inquiry closed without any action. Clearly, the order of the Secretary, of ICAR to inquire into the matter has illegally been circumvented by the interested officers of ICAR.

iii).           Recent Audit Para for giving excessive fees among other irregularities by Mr. Santosh Kumar Singh to his chosen advocates.

iv).           Mr. S.K. Singh is the right hand of Dr. Mohapatra DG-ICAR. He is a man of doubtful integrity and he had been involved in various misconducts, irregularities, and corrupt practices. It is relevant to mention the then Secretary, ICAR Mr. Arvind Kaushal’s comments about his arbitrary functioning. The bills of one Mr. Ranjit Kumar were cleared only after the intervention of then Secretary, ICAR Mr. Arvind Kaushal, who inter alia observed in his note dated 07.08.2013 “Mr. A.K. Thakur, Special Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation phoned me on 5.8.2013 and informed that several bills of Mr. Ranjit Kumar, Senior Advocate, are pending with ICAR for a very long time and the same are not being cleared despite his follow up…The above position is extremely shocking and shows a lack of control on the part of the L.A. about the matters handled in his Section. Apparently, no register in place may provide information as to what matters are pending in the Section and for how long. It seems that the Section Officer and the staff can sit on papers for years. I cannot rule out that these bills had been kept pending for extraneous considerations...”

v).            Mr. S.K. Singh GOT HIS WIFE NOMINATED AS PANEL ADVOCATE OF IARI -

It is understood that Mr. S.K. Singh abused his official position and pressurized the IARI officials to nominate his wife as a panel Advocate of IARI, a constituent unit of ICAR. Thus, Mr. S.K. Singh abused his official position for getting his wife Ms. Kusum Singh, Advocate nominated as a panel Advocate of IARI. Incidentally, Ms. Kusum Singh, Advocate, wife of Mr. S.K. Singh, was a junior advocate attached to Mr. B.S. More, Advocate who was another panel Advocate of ICAR. Thus, it may easily be inferred that any case is given by ICAR or IARI to Late B.S. More was, in fact, being given to Ms. Kusum Singh, Advocate at the instance of Mr. S.K. Singh and ultimately, it appears, that the beneficiary of the fee was Mr. S.K. Singh. The position w.r.t. empanelment of Ms. Kusum Singh, Advocate in IARI may be verified from records of IARI.

vi).           WHISTLEBLOWER AND AN OFFICER WHO IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO HIS MANDATE IS SEVERELY VICTIMIZED BY DR. T. MOHAPATRA

It is pertinent to note that numerous complaints against Mr. S.K. Singh on serious material grounds with conclusive documentary proof have been lodged including misappropriation of govt. funds and his illegal appointment.

Despite several serious complaints against Mr. S.K. Singh has never been transferred from ICAR Headquarters in New Delhi. He was transferred by Ms. Sashi Mishra, Secretary ICAR in 2003-04 to Pusa for a very short while, Rather the whistleblower/officer of ICAR who lodged the complaints against Mr. S.K. Singh was arbitrarily transferred by illegally creating a post without mandatory sanction or approval of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India. This fact is in the public domain and can also be verified from the records of respondents. It is understood that the aforesaid whistleblower/ officer (Mr. Ashtosh Gautam) was not transferred in the public interest, rather he was transferred to protect and cover up the interest, corruption, and wrongs committed by Dr. Mohapatra DG & Mr. S.K. Singh. This position needs to be verified by summoning the complaints lodged against Mr. S.K. Singh from ICAR and the status thereof.

VII.          Corruption by Mr. G.G. Harakangi, CAO (SG), IIHR, Bengaluru, and the collusive role of Mr. Ratnesh Kumar, Jt. Secty (TS) is as under (Dr. Mohapatra is well aware and involved in his tenure) -

In the service of ICAR in the cadre of Administrative Officer (DR), Shri G.G. Harakangi has worked for over 22 years at IIHR, Bangalore out of a total service of 27 years.

While working at IIHR he recruited six(6) Technical Assistants (T-3) in 2006-07 under KVKs( Krishi Vigyan Kendras) operating under IIHR. All recruited TAs were relatives of the staff of IIHR. In 2011-12 Mr. G.G. Harakangi ARBITRARILY changed the terms of appointment and made them T-4 from the initial date of appointment [Change of GP from Rs 2800 to Rs 4200 was effected] thereby causing huge financial loss to govt exchequer regularly. This highly irregular/arbitrary act continues to date. This was done by Harakangi for illegal monetary considerations.

Shockingly, the file of the Extension Division of ICAR Hq (KAB-II) dealing with this matter of illegality has been made to go “missing” to save the kingpin – Mr. G.G. Harakangi.

The records are available in the vigilance division of ICAR and Mr. Harakangi was issued a show cause notice in 2018 which turned out to be a cosmetic and eyewash exercise. Mr. Ratnesh Kumar, Director of Technical Services) dealt with the matter and regularized the illegality committed by Mr. Harkangi for extraneous considerations.

It may be mentioned that from 1995 to 2010 all the appointments of TAs   (T-3) used to be made under KVKs under ICAR by respective ICAR institutes at Rs 2800 G.P. The change in recruitment rule was made applicable retrospectively from June 2010 onwards.

Given the clout and collusive role of very senior public servants in a case of grave misconduct, I (aware citizen of India) call upon to entrust the detailed and fair investigation to persons of the highest integrity credentials who are neither serving nor retired from ICAR service.

All efforts are underway to make the safe retirement of Mr. Ratnesh Kumar which is due in two months.

VIII.          Arbitrarily selective use of the Sexual Harassment Act,2013 –

Dr. A.R. Rao (IASRI, Pusa) was involved in a serious case of sexual harassment and NCW also intervened in the matter. Dr. Seema Jaggi (IASRI) only followed the personal vindictive agenda of Dr. Mohapatra DG while acting as chairperson of ICC. Regrettably, both were rewarded by DG by promoting them to the post of ADG. Despite the criminal act of rape being taken due cognizance of (about Mr. J.Ravi, ex-Director, ASRB) by Hon’ble ASJ [Cr.C.No. 9391/17, FIR No94/17 P.S. InderPuri, State vs J. Ravi]and forensic report also confirming the same, ab initio void departmental inquiry was conducted by Dr. Mohapatra DG with the sole motive of saving his trusted lieutenant. Mr. Anil Kumar Maithani, ex-Sr.AO, IARI was also shielded in a sexual harassment case. He was also given a safe retirement in January 2021. It is learned that Dr. M. Sivaswami, Head, IARI (Wellington) was extended extraordinarily favorable treatment despite a serious complaint by the complainant lady staff. After Preliminary Inquiry Report dated 20-12-2016 the matter was arbitrarily closed on 15-02-2018 and no action taken against Dr. M Sivaswami was initiated despite the recommendation of the Women Complaint Committee letters.

Clearly, huge monetary and other extraneous considerations in reported matters of corruption are regularly going on under Dr T. Mohapatra. All such arbitrary and selective treatments/favors cannot take place without the support of the syndicate operating in Vigilance.

 IX.          Malpractices in cases of irregularities in attendance etc.

Mr. Ram Niwas, Administrative Officer, NDRI [attendance ID# 17381170] had zero attendance from 01.01.2018 to 30.09.2019. BUT MR. RAM NIWAS HAS BEEN DRAWING HIS SALARY DESPITE HIS ABSENCE FROM DUTY. THIS OFFICER OF DOUBTFUL INTEGRITY HAS BEEN GIVEN NOT ONLY FULL PROTECTION BUT DG HAS ALSO GIVEN PROMOTION IN OCTOBER, 2021. He has been occupying sensitive postings in NDRI for decades in violation of CVC guidelines.

    X.          There are many more similar cases where huge extraneous considerations(cash and/or kind) determine their fate.

That vide File no.: CIC/CSWRI/A/2018/628995 dated 15/01/2020 it was ordered to ICAR for disclosing the biometric attendance of public servants. However, thanks to vested interests that are perpetrating under the active protection of DG, ICAR no action against serious habitual defaulters takes place which includes senior officers, as follows. Mr. Harshit Agarwal, Sr AO [attendance details from 18/1/2016 to 31/12/2017; and from 1/1/2018 to 10/06/2018]; Mr. Rakesh Bhardwaj [the then Sr.AO while posted to IGFRI, Jhansi during 2013-14 and subsequently to CSSRI, Karnal] his complete attendance records has also been full of malpractices in connivance with Vigilance, ICAR. It is also relevant to mention that there were other serious cases of Mr. Rakesh Bhardwaj in financial corruption in connivance with contractors, Mr. Balwan Singh Yadav, etc., Mr. Dinesh Nagpal, Under Secretary also was very irregular.  Mr. S.K. Behra, ex –Dy. Secty and Mr. Devender Kumar, ex-Director (Finance) also hardly used to mark attendance in prescribed AEBAS at the relevant time. Similarly, Dr. K. Alagusundaram, ex-DDG (Engineering) also used to spend most of his time in his hometown, Coimbatore on official tours. DG is dishonestly/willingly not taking any punitive action in these and many other verifiable cases of corruption. It is to be noted that DG has been taking excessive punitive against some public servants on motivated/ baseless complaints. This speaks volumes about the colorable use of power for settling personal scores by DG.

 XI.          Scam in Transfers, Postings, Promotions, et al.

i).              In violation of directives of GoI (Ministry of Finance) officials who go by the rule book are punitively transferred, under the garb of “public interest”, to a place where no such post exists. On the other hand, the favorite officials are not posted to the designed sanctioned place of their postings. A case in point is that of Southern Regional Station (SRS), Bangalore of NDRI where Mr. Vishal Acharya, assistant finance & accounts officer (AFAO) was to be posted. Being a part of well-oiled SYNDICATE (as in the case of Mr. Ram Niwas, now Sr AO, NDRI) Mr. Vishal Acharya has “managed” his posting for decades in Karnal.

ii).             Recently, Mr. Vishal Acharya has been found guilty in the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) financial scam in NDRI, Karnal involving crores of rupees.

Instead of rigidly adopting the declared policy of our govt of “zero tolerance towards corruption”, the concerned AFAO is being allowed to continue in service. More shockingly, the guilty continue to work at the same place of posting so that he remains a “kamaupoot” in plundering the public exchequer. Indeed, it is yet again all farcical/cosmetic exercise by DG. This selectively favorable treatment given by DG can be contrasted with the most vindictive treatment given to one public official in an audit who dares to record matters of financial irregularities and maladministration.

iii).           On reporting cases of financial embezzlement and intentional loss of public documents, the open threat for elimination and physical assault is enacted in the office premises. Most shockingly, the convicted employees are given the fullest protection by the present DG, ICAR. Motivated complaints are routinely concocted at the behest of interested officials whereby vigilance is used as a tool to harass law-abiding public servants. Principles of Natural Justice are intentionally flouted to severe detriment to officers of impeccable integrity. Inquiry Officers’ Reports despite not proving charges are vindictively and arbitrarily set aside.

Public servants who are on the right side of the law and stick to their mandate without fear or favor are subjected to manifold acts of severe harassment. Arbitrarily stopping salary; double standards in matters of allowing work from home (WFH); charge withdrawal from committed officials despite the assurance given by the Agriculture Minister to the Parliament and withdrawing basic office amenities are a few such instances.

iv).           The unprecedented matter of corruption/malpractices in the contractual staff case at NDRI, Karnal came to the force on 1st October 2020. The contract had to be canceled. One year before this most disgraceful event, dozens of milking cattle died having book value worth crores of rupees. THESE ISSUES WERE PUBLISHED IN PRINT & ELECTRONIC MEDIA ALSO (predictably, they were buried under the carpet and the audit officer concerned was put to the maximum degree of harassment for doing his duty without fear or favor).

It begs a million-dollar question, why no accountability/responsibility was ever fixed? Only cosmetic exercise was done and a law-abiding audit officer was made a scapegoat. No scrupulous and regular internal audit is also ever done to check such serious cases of malpractices, including cases of chemicals, and reagents as part of internal audit. Clearly, the office has been most proficient in its operation cover-up.

v).            Embezzlement of Govt. funds by Dr. Gynendra Pratap Singh, Acting Director (Ex-Director) ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research (IIWBR), Karnal (Haryana) knowingly by misusing his govt. post in the construction of an irrigation channel at Seed and Research Farm, Hisar. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra instead of taking action against Dr. G.P. Singh, by taking huge money/bribe granted a six-month extension to Dr. G.P. Singh against all norms in advance vide ICAR order F. No. 85(1)2015-Per.III dated July 8, 2022, at the post of Director, IIWBR, Karnal, whereas, his tenure is supposed to be over on August 3, 2022. This is against the rules/directions of CVC (CVC’s Office Order No. 57/8/04 dated 31-08-2004).  As per rules and regulations, Dr. G.P. Singh should not be given reappointment/extension as the inquiry against him vide ICAR office order No. 4-2/2022-Vig.II dated 21-01-2022 was still going on the complaint dated 22-11-2021, the outcome of the same is still awaited.

vi).           ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, the present Director, Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta is running the institute continuously for almost the last 8 (5-year tenure and 3-year extension by Dr. Mohapatra, certainly through paying some cost in the form of bribe, hiding the crime/truth, etc. Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta is running the institute in an autocratic manner with the assistance of junior scientists ignoring the seniority of more than 17 Principal Scientists and 3 divisional in-charges at ICAR-NIANP, Bangalore. He has misused his govt. post knowingly and fulfilled his unethical personal interests.

vii).         Similar is the case of ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122violating the seniority of two dozen heads of Divisions and Principal scientists.

viii).        Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, openly claims that he will manage the Director post, again and again, using his political hold and economic influence.

ix).           Mr. Bimabadhar Pradhan, IAS the then AS&FA was pressurized by DG in clear payment approx. of Rs. Sixteen lakhs to a private advocate in the Delhi High Court matter.

XII. The CAG Report speaks volumes about the corruption under the umbrella of Dr. Mohapatra.

I requested time and again

1.       All related documents be taken into personal custody as the racketeer officials involved in this scam can put the office under fire anytime, to save themselves.

2.       The elements of “just, fair and equitable” considerations; objectives of National Litigation Policy; pointedly specific PMO directives, CIC decisions, DARPG guidelines on time-bound fixing of accountability, parliamentary standing committees imperatives, RTI Act, 2005 including, et al have consistently been violated by the highest officer of the ICAR. Thanks to the well-oiled syndicate in ICAR, the opaque and revengeful office functioning is the order of the day as already mentioned graphically.

3.       Complaints made against serious habitual defaulters with requisite corroborative evidence are “settled” for extraneous monetary considerations and quick promotions and postings of their choice are done.

4.       All documents regarding the above-proved allegations are in office record, if the record is not furnished by the concerned authorities of ICAR then the undersigned will try to provide some of them.

5.       To eradicate corruption Hon’ble Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 1193 of 2012, Dr. Subramanian Swamy v/s Manmohan Singh and others clearly stated that -

GANGULY, J. Para 11.

- - It cannot be disputed that where corruption begins all rights end. Corruption devalues human rights, chokes development, and undermines justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity which are the core values in our preambular vision.

6. About the investigation of complaints, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Azija Begum Vs State of Maharashtra (2002) 3 SCC-126 Para 12 held that:

Every Citizen of this country has a right to get his or her complaint properly investigated. The Legal Framework of investigation provided under our laws cannot be made selectively available only to some people and denied to others. This is the question of equal protection of laws and is covered by the guarantee Article-14 of the Constitution.

7.       Madras High Court Justice S.M. Subramaniam - Corrupt public servants must be declared anti-nationals.

8.       Kindly act in the interest of the Country at large.

9.       I shall be informed of the detailed status of this time-bound investigation.