Audit Uncovers Major Violations in Agriculture and Food Safety Sectors

The Supreme Audit Chamber has completed a large-scale inspection of the veterinary, phytosanitary, and food safety sectors, leading to immediate disciplinary action, Orda.kz reports.

According to the chamber, 28 individuals have been punished, including officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, employees of research centers, and entrepreneurs.

The results were summarized in August of this year, revealing various violations and shortcomings. As a result, the Supreme Arbitration Court ordered an investigation into the liability of employees who failed to ensure compliance with budgetary and other legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
 the SAC stated.

Those penalized include:

• The Director of the Department of Strategic Planning and several department heads at the Ministry of Agriculture
  
• Deputy chairs of the veterinary and state control committees within the agro-industrial complex
  
• The Deputy Chair of the Board of JSC Food Contract Corporation
  
• Employees of agricultural research institutes
  
• Representatives of Seifullin Agrarian University and the regional SEC companies Pavlodar, Tobol, Soltustik, and KOKSHE

The Supreme Audit Chamber had earlier conducted similar inspections in other ministries. During the Ministry of Health audit, several senior officials were disciplined, and the head of SK-Pharmacy was dismissed.

The SAC uncovered 90 billion tenge in losses, expired medications, and failed procurement processes.

A separate audit of the education sector also led to penalties for committee deputies, rectors, vice-rectors, and university deans, citing systemic issues in teacher training, employment, and academic methodology.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov