Issuance of pesticides licenses to fake companies: ACC-I to decide fate of 8 accused officials

The Anti-corruption Committee (ACC-I) of Anti-Corruption Establishment department would decided the fate of officials of Agriculture department, sources told Business Recorder on Friday. The team of ACE had started inquiry against eight officers and employees of Agriculture department for issuing licences to fake pesticides and fertiliser companies, sources said.
Former Director of ACE Ganwar Leghari got permission from former Chairman of ACE, Ramzan Channa, through a letter, in which it was mentioned that on the secret report of IB, the Sindh government conducted an inquiry through a committee of two senior most officers Khalid Mehmood Soomro ex managing director Sindh Seed Corporation and Ayaz Ali Memon Rtd Director Agriculture extension Hyderabad in 2003-04 against officers of agriculture Extension wing, sources said. The inquiry committee investigated the matter fairly, freely and impartially, objectives of the inquiry was to establish the responsibilities for the sale, sponsoring and projecting sale of illegal pesticides and fertiliser, the letter stated.
During the inquiry, it was proved that Mohammad Akram, then Director General, Hidayat-u-llah Chhajrro, present Director General upper Sindh Sukkur and then EDO (agriculture) Mirpurkhas, Muhammad Akbar Zardari at present under suspension in embezzlement of sabzi mandi Karachi, then APPO/DDO, Aftab Ahmed Kherro then DPP DG extension officer (now retired), Jawed Memon then I/C S&WTL Rohri, Rasool Bux Khaskheli, ex I/C Pesticide Laboratory Rohri, Mohammad Hussain DD (tech) Agriculture Research Tandojam, I/C pesticides laboratory Hyderabad, Nabi Bux Jamrro were found indulging in said matter, the letter added. Mohammad Akram along with above mentioned accused officers and employees issued licences to so many fake companies even there were no existence of companies, the letter said.
They minted a lot of money by taking illegal gratification from each and every company. This resulted in damage to Kharif crops 2003-04, and Sindh sustained irreparable loss of crores of rupees, according to letter. Sources said that the matter has been place in ACC-I and the fate would be decided in upcoming meeting of this committee.