Ending key posts at Dera research institute resented

TANK: The residents have expressed resentment over the decision of the KP government to slash key posts from the Agriculture Research Institute at Ratta Kulachi and shift them to other districts.

The social and political circles in Dera Ismail Khan and its adjoining districts said that instead of upgrading the research and academic activities in the area, those at the helm of affairs were bent upon limiting research activities by shifting several key posts of the research officers.

A letter recently issued by the Agriculture, Livestock and Crop Department of KP and addressed to the budget authorities decided to shift six posts, including four positions of senior search officer (BPS 18) while two of research officers (BPS 17) from the Agriculture Research Institute in Dera Ismail Khan to Peshawar ,Charsadda and Swabi without citing any reason.

Those in the know of the development were of the opinion that the ongoing situation would cause a serious setback to the local politicians who were proud of being associated with ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Dr Abdul Samad, an agriculturist, told The News that a prestigious agriculture institute was the utmost need of the area so as to provide an enabling research environment to the professionals and the students of the newly established /upgraded Agriculture University.

The institute besides enhancing and refreshing their knowledge will cover academic deficiencies as well. “A well-equipped and organised research institute will provide an opportunity to the students of Agriculture University Dera Ismail Khan to receive intensive academic training from skilled and experienced research experts in the field of agriculture,” said another agriculture expert Dr Ejaz Ahmad.

When contacted, District Director Agriculture Dera Ismail Khan Hizbullah Khan Baloch said that from seed to crop production validity certification also remained high in 2020-21 after appropriate certification and procedural formalities.

According to statistics available with this scribe, Rs9,64,13635 have been generated from six designated government farms including Government Seed Farm Rakh Manghan, Government Seed Farm Rakh Zandani, Government Seed Farm Rakh Ratta Kulachi, Government Seed Farm Rakh Band Kurai, Government Seed Farm Rakh Mahrah and Government Seed Farm Kulachi.

The News learnt that the budget authorities of the Finance Department had agreed to shift posts from the Agriculture Research Institute Rutta Kulachi.

The agriculture experts described the decision as an injustice with the local people.

An official requesting not to be named said it was the pivotal role of Agriculture Research Institute Ratta Kulachi which had significantly raised the growth rate figures of agricultural economics.

The civil society members urged Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur and members of KP Assembly to look into the issue and have it resolved.