AAP chief whip seeks transfer of Bathinda Chief Agriculture Officer over alleged non-cooperation

AAP’s chief whip in the Vidhan Sabha, Baljinder Kaur, MLA from Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district, has written to Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian seeking the transfer of the Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Bathinda, alleging a lack of responsiveness and cooperation.

Kaur claimed that there were multiple complaints against the officer, adding that he did not answer her calls and failed to cooperate on official matters, prompting her to recommend his transfer.

Responding to the allegations on Thursday, CAO Harbans Singh said he had received a call from the MLA on Wednesday but was unable to attend it as he was participating in a video conference. “I got a call from Madam yesterday, but I was attending a video conference. Later, I contacted her personal assistant and conveyed that I would visit her. I was asked to come on Thursday, but today they are busy with some work again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kaur did not respond to repeated phone calls or WhatsApp messages seeking her comment.

The development comes at a time when rain and a hailstorm have damaged wheat crops across large parts of the state, raising concerns among farmers about crop losses.