Ranipet ryots clueless as top agri dept posts remain vacant

Vellore

The top Agriculture Department post is that of the JD who forms the main link between subordinate officials and the district administration and also with the state government.

The DD is next to the JD in hierarchy. Both the JD and DD are the direction givers to local farmers through regular field visits. The DD is followed by the AD below whom are the AOs. While the two top incumbents have sought voluntary retirement, the district administration finds it difficult to handle agriculture related issues as vacancies result in additional burden on others many of whom have even sought to go on leave.

As Ranipet district is mainly agrarian, these top posts being vacant has irked farmers who are unable to get timely technological input from TNAU (TN Agricultural University) through officials regarding new crop species and information on how and when to start agricultural operations.

Similarly, “we are unable to get information on various agriculture scheme vis-a-vis the state government due to the absence of these officers,” bemoaned R Subash, state youth wing president of the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam.