Drawing attention: Unofficial report accuses agro dept of embezzlement

SCRI Director Muhammad Tahir denies allegations, says reforms undertaken under his supervision.

PESHAWAR:

Financial anomalies and other mismanagement at the Sugar Crops Research Institute (SCRI) Mardan recently surfaced after a 15-page report was compiled by staffers within the institute. The document, which was put together unofficially, has been forwarded to the governor, several members of the provincial cabinet as well as the minister for agriculture and the director general of both the agriculture and anti-corruption departments.

On the surface, the findings highlight irregularities in the SCRI Cess project, its allocations in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and the FI Gen, the allocation made in the provincial budget. The cess project aims to utilise taxes levied on the sale of sugarcane by farmers to mills. This amount is then spent on research done by the institute.

While a long list of small and large amounts are highlighted as having been misappropriated during 2011-12, the blame has been placed on SCRI Director Muhammad Tahir and other unidentified staffers led by him.

Some of the expenditures listed but allegedly never put to official use include a seminar for which a bill of Rs80,000 was drawn under the ADP. It would seem, however, no such seminar took place.

“If a subordinate dares to ask about the money, we are told the director general research (DGR) would know,” said a source within the SCRI.

In addition to other amounts withdrawn for unidentified purposes under the Cess project, the document also cites the amount of Rs400,000, allegedly taken for purchasing land leading to the Jabban Station Dargai. However, it would seem the land has not been purchased yet even though the money has been taken.

Other items like vehicle repair work to the tune of Rs787,900 were also mentioned but, according to the document, no such repairs had been undertaken. Money was also allegedly drawn for the purchase of research books not yet seen.

Another official at the SCRI said one of his colleagues was fired for standing up against corruption. He went on to accuse members of staff of colluding to hide corruption. “Only 20 to 30 people regularly show up, the rest are not bothered to regularly work.”

Complaining about a ghost project, the official shared a chip bud research and development project was purportedly carried out but there were no physical signs of it. “Farmers complained to the agriculture secretary but the money was not actually spent on chip bud.”

Fertiliser was purchased for the lands but ultimately the fertiliser was just sold in the market, he complained. The project never existed, he said.

A member of the chip bud project claimed the fertiliser was given away to “friends and family”.

However, another member shared he conducted 10 research experiments himself and they were successful. “I analyzed and presented the results to farmers and the agriculture extension department officials,” he said. There are three plots which have been set up for farmers, he added, claiming the germination of seeds is at 100%.

“Senior officials were satisfied with the way the project has progressed so far. But divisive politics within the institute has hampered proper functioning,” he added.

Within the document, it states, “The SCRI was unable to provide any records of expenditures of the Cess during internal audits.”

Meanwhile, the report goes on to cite another alleged instance of financial wrongdoing; a wheat sale made in Nowshera to the tune of Rs1,943,000 was also marred by “embezzlement” both in the form of cash and sacks of wheat. “When asked, the director said the wheat was sent to a minister on the DGR’s directives,” the document reads.

Also, under the ADP, Rs225,000 was drawn for setting up a green house. Instead a “feeble structure” was set up which was estimated to have cost Rs25,000. The structure collapsed in a heavy downpour later.

Harichand farm

According to officials, oranges from Harichand Farm in Charsadda were sold for Rs36,000 but when attempts were made to account for the money, they were told it was handed over to the DGR directly sans receipts. Similarly, money for Bakyana and Sheesham trees was allegedly transferred to former agriculture minister Arbab Ayub Jan’s house on his directives by SCRI Director Tahir.

An official audit claims Rs1.6 million worth of fertiliser, pesticide and other necessities for farmers were specified for a Mardan farm and Rs3.1 million for Harichand. These were purchased under a USAID project. Insiders at the SCRI claim these materials disappeared from the stores of both farms overnight with no record whatsoever.

When contacted, Tahir rejected all allegations. He stated the income of SCRI went up from Rs3.9 million to Rs6.5 million. Reforms were undertaken under his supervision, added Tahir. “But there are people who do not want me to do my job.”

A cashier at the institute, Habibur Rehman, also rejected the accusations. He said substantial development has happened in the period of the incumbent director. All the staff members perform regular duties and none of these charges can be proven, said Rehman.

DG Research Abdul Latif told The Express Tribune he was not familiar with the findings of this report. “This allegedly happened before I took charge a year ago. The enquiry file is at the Agriculture Secretariat,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2014.