62.74% of ARDD posts vacant, CAG finds

Who it concerns: Government of West Bengal, specifically the Animal Resource Development Department, Tourism Department, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Department, Forest and Environment Department, and various other state departments including Agriculture, Cooperation, Food & Supplies, and Public Works.

What the auditor found

• Animal Resource Development Department (ARDD) lacks a strategic plan, vision document, or standard operating procedures for infrastructure maintenance and epidemic management.
• 46% of surgical instruments in test-checked Block Animal Health Centres were found to be unserviceable.
• A Feed Testing Laboratory constructed in Jalpaiguri in 2019 at a cost of ₹50.27 lakh has never been used due to manpower shortages.
• The overall vacancy rate in the ARDD was 62.74% (5,374 sanctioned posts vs. 2,002 filled), resulting in only 176 out of 2,054 Animal Development Aid Centres being operational.
• Coastal Zone Management Plan (2019) had not been approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change due to delays in compliance.
• The eco-tourism project of Jambu Island could not become operational because required clearances were not obtained before work was allocated.
• CAG recommended that the Department create detailed plans for infrastructure, ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines, devise SOPs for epidemics, and utilize existing plant capacity more effectively.

Also in the document

• CAG found that 62.74% of sanctioned posts in the Animal Resource Development Department were vacant, leading to the closure of the majority of Animal Development Aid Centres.
• CAG reported that a Feed Testing Laboratory costing ₹50.27 lakh has remained unused since its construction in 2019.
• CAG noted that 46% of surgical instruments in checked animal health centers were unserviceable, and essential high-end equipment was either absent or non-functional.