Using forest land for PMGSY road

An inquiry ordered nearly more than six months back to look into using of forest land for construction of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) in Reasi district appears to be struggling with scepticism and indecision. It is not only that Jammu and Kashmir Forest Conservation Act 1997 was violated but how come those involved in taking such a decision could underestimate the far reaching consequences of robbing, already shrinking forest cover in this State, of this huge chunk of land. It is shocking that 2635 hectares of forest land was converted into a road from kilometer 15 to Narla by the officers and other personnel of PMGSY. How was it done and who authorised them to do it is a serious question, demanding not only explanation from the guilty officials but as to why has the inquiry not submitted its findings to enable the Government take stern action against the guilty.
With such recklessness going unpunished , similar violations are feared to be taking place resulting in forests getting wiped out or shrunk considerably to wreak havoc of different hue .The said enquiry was to find out the reasons and submit its report within a month from the date of issuance of order in March 2018 which till date , it has not. Does that aspect too need an enquiry to find out what prevented the Enquiry Officer and his team from adhering to the timeframe and even now, it is nowhere to be seen. It is not any conjectures to believe that the Enquiry Officer dragged the task till his superannuation in ending June 2018 after which neither was any new enquiry officer appointed nor superannuation and other retiring benefits not released to the retired EO as he wilfully dragged the task to render it lose its sheen and intensity. We urge the Government to look into the seriousness of the irregularity and have it enquired fast to fix responsibility and accountability on the erring officials.

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