ICAR Refutes Allegations of Irregularities in Appointments of Agricultural Scientists
01 January 2025, New Delhi: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has strongly refuted allegations reported by some sections of the press on December 27, 2024, regarding alleged irregularities in the appointments of agricultural scientists and a demand for a probe into the matter.
As a scientific organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the ICAR is dedicated to agricultural research, education, and extension activities. Governed by its own Rules and Bye-laws, the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare serves as its President.
In response to these allegations, the ICAR has categorically stated that the claims are factually incorrect and misleading. The council emphasized that all recent recruitments were conducted strictly according to the Model Qualifications approved by the Competent Authority. It further clarified that there has been no change in the Essential Qualifications (EQs) for the position of Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, since their revision prior to 2019. The previous Director of IARI, Dr. A. K. Singh, who retired in June 2024, was appointed under the same qualifications currently advertised for the recruitment process.
The ICAR also dismissed claims that the current advertisement for the IARI Director’s position was rendered invalid, describing such assertions as distorted and baseless. The council expressed concern that these rumors appear to stem from a few disgruntled individuals attempting to mislead a Governing Body member for personal vested interests.
Regarding the appointment of Dr. Cherukumalli Srinivasa Rao as Director of IARI, the ICAR clarified that he was serving as Director of the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), Hyderabad, at the time of his selection. The organization highlighted that provisions exist for relieving officials on tour since they remain on official duty. Dr. Rao formally took charge of the IARI Director position only after being officially relieved from his previous post, with all approvals processed through stipulated office procedures, including e-mail and e-Office systems. The ICAR stressed that there were no procedural anomalies in this case and dismissed allegations of abruptness or unprecedented actions as defamatory and uninformed.
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