Union minister seeks UCs; Rakibul feels ill at ease

‘Why is such negligence in government work?’ Radhamohan Singh asked Assam Agriculture officials in front of a dumbstruck Rakibul Hussain, who had brought a faint blush to his face.

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, February 9: Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh had to warn the Assam Government, especially its Agriculture Department, for its shoddy implementation of projects, leading to failure on the part of the latter to submit utilization certificates (UCs). The Union minister even had to issue a warning to Dispur that Central funding to the State might be cut if the there was no tangible change in the situation in the department.

Singh on Monday met the State Agriculture Department officials at Azara’s Kahikuchi–based Horticulture Research Centre in the presence of State Agriculture Minister Rakibul Hussain. Others present at the meeting were Sikkim and Mizoram agriculture ministers.

According to sources, a visibly angry Singh sought clear–cut clarifications from the officials of the department on the spending of funds. The Union minister was not at all convinced that ‘all is well in the State Agriculture Department’.

 “Why is such negligence in government work?” Singh asked the officials in front of a dumbstruck Hussain, who had brought a faint blush to his face.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister iugurated the conference hall of the Horticulture Research Centre and took part in a review meetings with officials of the Agriculture Department.