E-Paper
Vacant agricultural officers’ posts affecting Punjab government’s pro-farmer schemes
Shortage of agricultural development officer, block agricultural officer and agricultural sub-inspectors in agriculture department is affecting working of the department
Shortage of agricultural development officers (ADOs), block agricultural officers (BAOs) and agricultural sub-inspectors in the agriculture department is affecting the working of the department on ground level, especially implementation and supervision of government sponsored schemes and quality of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides. At least 59% posts of agricultural development officers (ADO), 30% posts of block agricultural officers (BAO) and 50% of agriculture sub-inspectors are unoccupied in the state. According to the Plant Doctors’ Service Association (PDS), a joint organisation of agricultural and horticultural officials, there are a total 934 posts of ADOs and 233 posts of BAOs and out of them 550 and 70 posts are lying vacant respectively. Most of these posts are vacant at Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Ropar districts. Besides, out of total 725 posts of agriculture sub-inspector, 50% are vacant.
ADOs are the ones who directly remain in touch with farmers and the public in the field and take the government’s pro farmer scheme and initiative to them. Besides, they are also responsible for ensuring quality seeds, fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides to farmers on ground level. While the BAOs do the administrative work and agriculture sub-inspector assists ADOs in their work.
Dr Sukhvir Singh, state president of the PDS, said, “The department is suffering due to the shortage of the ADOs, BAOs and agriculture sub-inspectors. ADOs are the backbone of the department as success of government and Punjab Agriculture University’s pro farmers initiatives and schemes depend on them. They are the ones who work on the ground and make farmers aware of new research.” Besides, 70 posts of BAOs are also unoccupied as promotion of ADOs for the post of BAOs is lying pending, he added.
“The state government had given its approval for the recruitment of 200 ADOs in August but three months have passed, and the government is yet to advertise the posts.” The last recruitment of agricultural development officers was held in 2021 when 141 ADOs were enrolled in the department.
Dr Gurvinder Singh, director of the department of agriculture and farmer welfare said, “The case of recruitment for 200 posts of ADOs and 150 of agriculture sub-inspector has been sent to Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and the Commission will initiate the recruitment very soon. Besides, the department will also act on pending promotions.”
