Ferozepur: The Punjab department of animal husbandry, dairy development and fisheries has promoted an official who last year was named in an FIR linked to the alleged supply of damaged cattle vaccines in Ferozepur.Dr Harveen Kaur was promoted as joint director (animal husbandry) on April 2, despite being one among the three officials booked in March 2025 in connection with the alleged supply of around 30,000 doses of haemorrhagic septicaemia vaccine that were reportedly damaged in a fire in April 2021.The case pertains to vaccines meant for galghotu, a disease affecting cattle. The FIR was lodged following directions from the Punjab and Haryana high court after a petition was filed by the Krantikari Kisan Union.The two other officials named in the FIR are Dr Jaswant Singh, a veterinary officer posted at the veterinary hospital in Sande Hasham, and Hoshiar Singh, a veterinary inspector posted at the veterinary hospital in Ferozepur.Following the petition, the high court had ordered an inquiry by the director, Bureau of Investigation (BOI), Punjab Police. It had also directed the animal husbandry department to take action against those found responsible.After the preliminary inquiry, an FIR was registered at Ferozepur Sadar police station on March 18, 2025. However, the accused officials have not been arrested pending further investigation.Meanwhile, Ferozepur Sadar police have filed a challan under sections related to mischief, forgery and criminal conspiracy before the court of the additional chief judicial magistrate, Ferozepur. The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing on April 30.Repeated attempts to contact Paramdeep Singh Walia, director, animal husbandry, and principal secretary Rahul Bhandari for comments did not elicit a response. MSID:: 130063244 413 |
