SIT set up to probe allegations against suspended Horticulture department director
Wednesday, 02 AUGUST 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The State government has decided to form a special investigation team (SIT) to probe allegations of corruption against Harminder Singh Baweja who was suspended from the post of Horticulture and Food Processing department director earlier in June.
According to a communication sent by the special secretary, Home, Ridhim Aggarwal to the director general of police, various complaints have been received regarding Baweja allegedly orchestrating financial irregularities while misusing his position as the director of Horticulture and Food Processing department. These complaints are related to more than one district due to which the scope of the investigation has become extended. In this situation, the State administration has decided to constitute an SIT which will be headed by the inspector general of police (CID). The members of this SIT will include the senior superintendent of police, Almora, superintendent of police, CID, Haldwani, an officer nominated by the Agriculture department and two other members nominated by the SIT head.
It will be recalled that earlier, the Agriculture and Horticulture minister Ganesh Joshi had ordered an inquiry into allegations levelled at Baweja. The report of the inquiry was then sent to the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Acting on the findings of the inquiry, Dhami had ordered his suspension from the post of the Horticulture and Food Processing department director on June 12. According to sources, the allegations levelled against him include hiking the purchase prices for Kiwi fruit saplings and delaying the distribution of turmeric and ginger seeds among others.
