Demand to fill up Dhakuakhana Subdivisional Agriculture Officer's post lying vacant

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: At a time when the State government, as well as the Union government, has launched consecutive schemes for the well-being of the farmers' community, the post of Subdivisional Agriculture Officer of Dhakuakhana subdivision of Lakhimpur district has been lying vacant since the last five months.

The officer concerned of the subdivision was transferred to Dhemaji in the month of March five months ago. Since then, the State Government and the department concerned have not taken any move to fill up the vacant post. As a result, the farmers of the subdivision have suffered a lot with regard to getting their official works done. The farmers of the subdivision have suffered enormous loss due to flood and they are allegedly not being able to get their compensation-related work done due to the absence of the Subdivisional Agriculture Officer. It is also alleged that the real assessment of the farmers' losses in cultivation during the last flood has still not been done due to insufficient manpower in the divisional office concerned. Further, it has also been alleged that the Agricultural Developmental Officer of Lakhimpur, who has additionally imposed the charge of the Subdivisional office of Dhakuakhana, has not attended the office till the date.

At present, six officials out of 15 of the office are quite busy in NRC update works. Under such circumstances, the office is operational only due to four Grade IV employees along with the two peons. But one peon and the driver of the office are allegedly engaged by the Dhakuakhana SDO in his office. At present, three vehicles of the Subdivision office are in defunct condition. The ADO of the Sonari Chapori Agricultural Circle was given the charge of the Subdivisional office but he is also busy in NRC update work at present.

Moreover, the posts of one Assistant Inspector, two UDAs (senior assistant) and 11 Agricultural Extension Assistants out of 12 are also been lying vacant in the Subdivisional Office. Similarly, four posts of Agriculture Extension Assistant out of five in Ghilamora Agriculture Circle and three out of four in Sonari Chapori Agriculture Circle under the Subdivisional Office have also been vacant for a long time.

The people of the subdivision have demanded the local MLA-cum-minister Naba Kumar Doley and State Agriculture Minister Atul Borah to improve the Subdivisional Office and to fill the vacant posts immediately for the welfare of the flood-affected farmers of the subdivision.

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