Corruption left in the past in Agriculture Department still continues which can be judged by the fact that the provincial exchequer is paying around Rs 16.8 million per annum to vehicle drivers in various sections of Provincial Agriculture Extension with no vehicles.
According to sources, at present 300 vehicle drivers are working in various sections whereas the number of vehicles is around 20, which means that there are 15 vehicle drivers per vehicle of Agriculture Extension.
Most of these drivers have been appointed on political considerations and, to avoid any action, have been actively participating in trade union activities to keep the officials under pressure.
It may be oversight by those who matter or they turn a blind eye but the fact remains that it is criminal waste of money, bordering corruption.
There are not less than 80 vehicles in Agriculture Extension, worth millions of rupees, which have lost their efficacy and are dumped in junk yard which could have brought a sizeable amount to the department if these were auctioned timely, but now they are not worth a dime, as most of their parts are missing.
Sources were of the view that the Provincial Secretary Agriculture could do something to empower himself to flush out the corruption monster stomping around causing public disillusionment against the provincial agriculture sector.