SRINAGAR — Allegations of selective disciplinary action over unauthorised felling of green mulberry trees have triggered discontent among employees of the Sericulture Development Department in Kashmir, with staff questioning the department’s differing treatment of officials facing similar allegations.
The issue centres on Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, an Operative and In-charge of Zone Pattan, who, according to an inquiry conducted by the District Sericulture Officer (DSO), Baramulla, was responsible for the cutting of six green mulberry trees at Nihalpora, Pattan, on July 15.
The inquiry team, comprising officials from the Baramulla and Tangmarg zones and a Junior Assistant, reported that three big and three small green mulberry trees were cut on Dar’s orders, allegedly “beyond his competence”.
In its report submitted to the Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department, Kashmir, on August 12, the DSO Baramulla stated that the concerned official had allegedly misused his powers and failed to inform the district office about the incident.
The report termed the action a violation of the Jammu and Kashmir Mulberry Protection Act, 2006.
However, departmental employees allege that no disciplinary action was initiated against Dar despite the inquiry report and that he continued to hold charge of Zone Pattan.
The alleged differential treatment has become a point of contention among employees, particularly as the department suspended five other officials in separate cases involving allegations of unauthorised mulberry tree felling.
On June 30, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, Sub Inspector and In-charge Mulberry Zone Sopore, was suspended and attached to the Directorate of Sericulture Kashmir. Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Sericulture Assistant, was subsequently given charge of Sopore.
Sericulture Assistant Farooq Ahmad Mir and Beat Watcher Farooq Ahmad Shah were suspended on July 8, over allegations relating to unauthorised felling of mulberry trees at Padshahi Bagh Nallah in Budgam.
An inquiry by the DSO Budgam reportedly found the officials negligent in connection with the cutting of mulberry trees in November 2025. A four-member team headed by DSO Anantnag Tariq Ali was constituted to conduct an “in-depth inquiry” and submit a detailed report. The two officials were subsequently attached to Silkworm Seed Station Achabal.
On July 4, Farooq Ahmad Waza, Mulberry Man and In-charge, Tujjar, Sopore, and Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, Mulberry Man and In-charge, Harwan, Sopore, were also suspended pending inquiry.
The five suspended officials were, on July 16, attached to the office of the Manager Seed, Sericulture Development Department, Basic Seed Station Mirgund.
Employees have questioned the criteria being followed by the department in dealing with alleged violations related to mulberry trees, citing the contrasting disciplinary action.
They have also raised concerns over what they describe as frequent transfers of officials, alleging that repeated changes in postings and charges have created uncertainty within the department.
According to official orders cited by the employees, on February 23, Javaid Ahmad Mir, Sericulture Assistant, was transferred from In-charge Tehsil Khass Srinagar to Baramulla Zone, while Sabia Gani, Sericulture Assistant at Main Grainage Srinagar, was given charge. Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, who was then working as In-charge Baramulla Zone, was deployed to Sopore Zone.
Two days later, on February 25, another order directed Javaid Ahmad Mir and Sabia Gani to swap their respective charges.
The employees cited further changes in June, when Sakiba Saleem was transferred from Mulberry Zone Tral and posted as Manager Seed, Main Grainage Srinagar, besides being given look-after charge of Mulberry Zone Pampore.
Javaid Ahmad Mir, who had earlier been transferred from Srinagar to Baramulla Zone, was by then posted as Manager Seed, Main Grainage Srinagar, but was again transferred in June to Mulberry Zone Tral.
A group of employees has urged the Agriculture Minister and administrative authorities in the Civil Secretariat to examine both the disciplinary actions and the frequent transfers.
“The minister for agriculture and the administrative authorities of the department in the Civil Secretariat must inquire and check why these suspensions and transfers are ordered day in and day out. Are these departmental procedures or punishment for not obliging for favours?” the employees alleged.
The Director of Sericulture was unavailable for comment, with his phone switched off.
Officials in the administrative wing of the department in the Civil Secretariat said they would look into the complaints.
