Rajesh Tandon
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 16: Taking cognizance of the news published in Early Times, the Commissioner Secretary, Forests MK Dwivedi issued an order of withholding positing of an alleged Forester as incharge Range Officer.
The news report which was published in Early times in its edition, with title "Forester faces inquiry; promoted as Range Officer" dated 10/30/2019, wherein it was mentioned that (Forester) was facing enquiry for violating service rules and allegedly facilitating encroachment on forest land and his promotion and subsequent posting in same place by the department.
The Government in its order No. 514-JK (FST) of 2019 dated 11/11/2019, which reads as in partial modification of government order No. 337-FST of 2019 dated 19/10/2019, the posting of forester incharge Range Officer Haveli Range, Poonch Forest Division figuring at S.No. 09 is kept in abeyance and charge of Range Officer, Haveli Range, Poonch Forest Division will be looked after by Nisar Hussain, Range Officer Surankote in addition to his own duties till further orders.
Pertinently, in the month of June, shops were raised on forest land in Khasra No. 992 compartment No. 254/S near JNV School village Samote, which were demolished by forest department, having market value of land in crores. For negligence in duty and connivance in act, concerned Samote Block Officer (Forester) was attached in CF West Circle office vide Forest order No. 08 of 2019-20 dated:- 21-06-2019. Encroachers of forest land has filled petition in Tribunal at Jammu stating that there is a report of Block Officer Samote wherein it has been held that land is proprietary land of petitioner", sources in NGFOA said.
They further said that Act was totally against demarcation record and interest of forest department. Moreover, Deputy Commissioner Poonch has also stated that Khasra No. 992 village Samote is forest land under jurisdiction of forest department. Surprisingly instead of taking strong action against concerned staff, vide Govt. Order No. 337-FST of 2019 at S. No. 9, forester has been posted as I/C Range Officer Haveli as a reward and bypassing the seniority in division |
