Sources say the AEOs expressed their inability to conduct the Digital Crop Survey due to insufficient staffing and excessive workload
Published Date – 22 October 2024, 01:01 PM
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Hyderabad: In a surprise move, over 40 Agriculture Extension Officers (AEOs) of Grade II rank have been suspended from services for their non-participation in the Digital Crop Survey, a Central government-sponsored initiative.
The suspension orders were issued by the Director of Agriculture late on Monday night, and the District Agriculture Officers of the respective districts were informed of the action taken against the AEOs.
The grounds for the suspension were reportedly different from what the official records suggest. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against these officers for not performing their legitimate duties in recording the deaths of farmers as per the Rythu Bhima scheme guidelines.
In Nagarkurnool district alone, four AEOs — Palakur Suresh, Artham Raj Kumar, Jakkam Raviteja, and Md Muntaj — were placed under suspension on Tuesday. The suspensions have sparked controversy and raised questions about the priorities of the Agriculture Department.
Sources indicate that the AEOs expressed their inability to conduct the Digital Crop Survey due to insufficient staffing and excessive workload, particularly given the extensive field duties required. The abrupt suspensions have added to the already mounting pressure on agricultural officers in the state.
The Digital Crop Survey is part of the ‘Digital Agri Mission,’ which aims to gather comprehensive data on crop patterns across the country. The lack of participation by the AEOs poses a significant challenge to the implementation of this ambitious project in Telangana.
