Shimla, June 13 (FN Bureau) A year after Himachal Pradesh Government issued chargesheet against former Director Horticulture of Himachal Pradesh Dr H S Baweja now Uttrakhand Government following the state placing him under suspension for his alleged role in wrongfully allotting nurseries of fruit trees and disturbances in Uttarakhand. An order passed by BJP Uttarakhand government has suspended Dr. Harminder Singh Baweja, director of horticulture, following alleged allegations of corruption. Notably, a chargesheet has been issued by the Secretary Horticulture Amitabh Awasthi on June 27, 2022 asking above officer to submit his reply within 10 days. Dr. H.S. Baweja while serving as Director of Horticulture , Shimla – had constituted Joint Action Committee. for releasing 1st installment of CA store subsidy amounting to Rs 693.09 lac in favour of M / s Him Agri Fresh Pvt . Ltd. contrary to the guidelines issued by Govt. of India and National Horticulture Board. The said Joint Inspection Team inspected the premises of CA store at village Vaighar Thesil Theog, Distt. Shimla alongwith Dr. H.S. Baweja the then Director of Horticulture , Shimla – 2 on January 10.03.2017 but no inspection report as required under the guidelines was submitted to the office. The said action on the part of above said Dr. H.S. Baweja the then Director of Horticulture, Shimla – 2 tantamount to misconduct under rule 3 (1) (iii) of CCS conduct rules 1964.
Dr. H.S. Baweja being a Director of Horticulture , Shimla – 2 w.e.f. 01.02.2016 to 19.09.2017 issued instructions to Drawing & Disbursing Officer for contacting ICICI Bank authorities for withholding of disbursement of subsidy of Rs 693.09 lac on the pretext of non – completion of codal formalities of a firm. The Vigilance Department of H.P. had also registered a complaint against Dr. H.S. Bewaja the then DHHP to inquire into complaint ,recommended that appropriate action against the officer needs to be taken in accordance with rules as his act during his tenure as Director of Horticulture has been found suspicious. Thus, the officer was also misused his official position and has violated rule 3 ( 1 ) ( iii ) of CCS conduct rules 1964 , Secretary Horticulture said in eight paged chargesheet against him. According to media reports of Uttrakhand following preliminary enquiry into the complaint of fresh allegations, Baweja was suspended on the instructions of the BJP Government. A cold store building company in Himachal had also accused Baweja of dealing in lieu of releasing subsidy. BJP government forced to take action against him after allegations levelled in the charge sheet. Now even in Uttarakhand, controversies did not leave Baweja’s side. Now he has been suspended. It is possible that after the departmental enquiry, an FIR may also be filed against him.