Livestock research institute under probe
Most of the projects exist on paper only: official.
LAHORE:
Research work at the Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI) Bahadurnagar has been virtually at a standstill due to misuse of funds, alleged corruption and a lack of interest on the part of the management in conducting research, an official from The Livestock and Dairy Development Department told The Express Tribune.
The Livestock and Dairy Development Department received a number of complaints in this regard and will probe all allegations against the management, the official added.
The research institute was initiated in 1962 at Bahadurnagar on 3,050 acres of land as a pilot project to undertake livestock production operations. The aim was to bring about a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the productivity of farm animals.
The idea was to conduct applied and problem-oriented research in various disciplines of livestock production such as breeding and genetics, livestock management and animal nutrition. Research was conducted through improved breeding, feeding, management and disease control practices to help in livestock production.
But according to the allegations made by an official of the institute, research has stalled since 2004 because of corrupt management and a number of projects which exist on paper only were drafted to loot public money.
Research officer of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Munir Ahmed Amir Gami gave the example of a project aimed at beef production through cattle grass breeding worth Rs20 million. A large portion of the funds were allegedly misappropriated and attributed to expenses undertaken while growing fodder, purchase of wheat hush, and for the repair of cattle sheds, the research officer said.
Similarly, the management purchased medicines only on paper and a large number of cattle died due to poor nutrition and lack of medication; additionally, management misused funds for purchasing ropes, chains for animal breeding and seeds.
In addition, according to the official, the management purchased 150 feeble and inferior breed cows for research and breeding purposes; out of this number, half died during research and the initiative was eventually shelved.
The farm management also started a fodder seed production project, costing Rs55 million, and sub standard and refurbished machinery was bought, however it wasn’t used properly and maintained. Not to mention, the number of fake appointments in violation with required rules made by management, added the official.
The source in the department also said that the secretary livestock transferred Director LPRI Dr Rashed Ahmed from Bahadurnagar in August 2008 on charges of corruption, misappropriation of funds and abuse of authority, but he was again posted as a director in November 2010 at the same institute.
Dr Ahmed however told The Express Tribune that a specific lobby was defaming the reputation of the institution, while alleging corruption and financial irregularities, and he said the department was conducting an inquiry on these charges but nothing had come of it so far.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2011.
Research work at the Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI) Bahadurnagar has been virtually at a standstill due to misuse of funds, alleged corruption and a lack of interest on the part of the management in conducting research, an official from The Livestock and Dairy Development Department told The Express Tribune.
The Livestock and Dairy Development Department received a number of complaints in this regard and will probe all allegations against the management, the official added.
The research institute was initiated in 1962 at Bahadurnagar on 3,050 acres of land as a pilot project to undertake livestock production operations. The aim was to bring about a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the productivity of farm animals.
The idea was to conduct applied and problem-oriented research in various disciplines of livestock production such as breeding and genetics, livestock management and animal nutrition. Research was conducted through improved breeding, feeding, management and disease control practices to help in livestock production.
But according to the allegations made by an official of the institute, research has stalled since 2004 because of corrupt management and a number of projects which exist on paper only were drafted to loot public money.
Research officer of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department Munir Ahmed Amir Gami gave the example of a project aimed at beef production through cattle grass breeding worth Rs20 million. A large portion of the funds were allegedly misappropriated and attributed to expenses undertaken while growing fodder, purchase of wheat hush, and for the repair of cattle sheds, the research officer said.
Similarly, the management purchased medicines only on paper and a large number of cattle died due to poor nutrition and lack of medication; additionally, management misused funds for purchasing ropes, chains for animal breeding and seeds.
In addition, according to the official, the management purchased 150 feeble and inferior breed cows for research and breeding purposes; out of this number, half died during research and the initiative was eventually shelved.
The farm management also started a fodder seed production project, costing Rs55 million, and sub standard and refurbished machinery was bought, however it wasn’t used properly and maintained. Not to mention, the number of fake appointments in violation with required rules made by management, added the official.
The source in the department also said that the secretary livestock transferred Director LPRI Dr Rashed Ahmed from Bahadurnagar in August 2008 on charges of corruption, misappropriation of funds and abuse of authority, but he was again posted as a director in November 2010 at the same institute.
Dr Ahmed however told The Express Tribune that a specific lobby was defaming the reputation of the institution, while alleging corruption and financial irregularities, and he said the department was conducting an inquiry on these charges but nothing had come of it so far.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2011.