Srinagar, Aug 31, : Allegations of selective disciplinary action over unauthorised felling of green mulberry trees have triggered discontent among employees of the Sericulture Development Department in Kashmir, with staff members questioning why some officials were suspended over similar allegations while another named in an official inquiry report was allegedly spared.The issue centres on Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, an Operative and Incharge of Zone Pattan, who, according to an inquiry conducted by the District Sericulture Officer (DSO), Baramulla, was responsible for the cutting of six green mulberry trees at Nihalpora, Pattan, on July 15.The inquiry team comprising officials from the Baramulla and Tangmarg zones and a Junior Assistant reported that three big and three small green mulberry trees were cut on Dar’s orders, allegedly “beyond his competence”.The inquiry report, submitted by the DSO Baramulla to the Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department, Kashmir, on August 12, stated that the concerned official had allegedly misused his powers and failed to inform the district office about the incident. The report termed the action a violation of the Jammu and Kashmir Mulberry Protection Act, 2006.However, departmental employees allege that despite the inquiry report, no disciplinary action was initiated against Dar, who continued to hold charge of Zone Pattan.The alleged differential treatment has become a major point of contention because the department had suspended five other employees in separate cases involving allegations of unauthorised mulberry tree felling.On June 30, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Sub Inspector and Incharge Mulberry Zone Sopore, was suspended and attached to the Directorate of Sericulture Kashmir. Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Sericulture Assistant, was subsequently given charge of Sopore.On July 8, Sericulture Assistant Farooq Ahmad Mir and Beat Watcher Farooq Ahmad Shah were suspended over allegations relating to unauthorised felling of mulberry trees at Padshahi Bagh Nallah in Budgam. An inquiry by the DSO Budgam reportedly found the officials negligent in connection with the cutting of mulberry trees in November 2025.A four-member team headed by DSO Anantnag Tariq Ali was constituted to conduct an “indepth inquiry” and submit a detailed report. The two officials were subsequently attached to Silkworm Seed Station Achabal.On July 4, Farooq Ahmad Waza, Mulberry Man and Incharge Tujjar, Sopore, and Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Mulberry Man and Incharge Harwan, Sopore, were also suspended pending inquiry.On July 16, the five suspended officials were attached to the office of the Manager Seed, Sericulture Development Department, Basic Seed Station Mirgund.The contrasting disciplinary action has prompted employees to question the criteria being followed by the department in cases involving alleged violations relating to mulberry trees.Employees have also raised concerns over what they describe as frequent transfers of officials, alleging that repeated changes in postings and charges have created uncertainty within the department.According to official orders cited by the employees, on February 23, Javaid Ahmad Mir, Sericulture Assistant, was transferred from Incharge Tehsil Khass Srinagar to Baramulla Zone, while Sabia Gani, Sericulture Assistant at Main Grainage Srinagar, was given charge. Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, then working as Incharge Baramulla Zone, was deployed to Sopore Zone.Just two days later, on February 25, another order directed Javaid Ahmad Mir and Sabia Gani to swap their respective charges.The employees cited further changes in June, when Sakiba Saleem was transferred from Mulberry Zone Tral and posted as Manager Seed, Main Grainage Srinagar, besides being given look-after charge of Mulberry Zone Pampore.Javaid Ahmad Mir, who had earlier been transferred from Srinagar to Baramulla Zone, was by then posted as Manager Seed, Main Grainage Srinagar, but was again transferred in June to Mulberry Zone Tral.A group of employees has urged the Agriculture Minister and administrative authorities in the Civil Secretariat to examine both the disciplinary actions and the frequent transfers.“The minister for agriculture and the administrative authorities of the department in the Civil Secretariat must inquire and check why these suspension and transfers are ordered day in and day out. Are these departmental procedures or punishment for not obliging for favours?” the employees alleged.The Director of Sericulture was unavailable for comment, with his phone switched off. Officials in the administrative wing of the department in the Civil Secretariat said they would look into the complaints. [KNT]
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