Srinagar– An RTI activist from Doda has alleged corruption in the road alignment/widening project from Khelani Pariyot to Prem Nagar with a design length 20.251 Km.
Adil Farooq, an RTI activist from Doda has submitted a complaint to LG’s office earlier also.
In the complaint, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Observer, Adil alleges that in order to widen the road from Khelani Priyot to Prem Nagar, trees had to be cut down in Bhadarwah Forest Division.
Official sources revealed that the construction & upgradation of Road with Paved Shoulder of Road from Design Chainage 31 (Khelani Pariyot) to 51(Prem Nagar) (Design Length 20.251 Km) was e-Tendered by PWD (R&B) B.C Road Division Bhadarwah Falling in Compartments 30/Ch, 32/Ch & 33/Ch in Chirala Range of Bhaderwah Forest Division.
Adil alleges that the due process was not followed and cutting of trees was done by the Forest Department which is in violation of norms.
“The forest department did the marking of the road. According, technical sanction and administrative approval was issued for the work that had to be done. After the administrative approval was granted, FDC had to do a handover. However, that did not take place.” Adil said.
“Instead of the State Forest Corporation (SFC), the trees were cut by the Forest Department.”
Adil also said that the Enumeration and Marking of Trees, Poles & Saplings in all the compartments was conducted by Bhadarwah Forest Division of the Forest Department.
“The total No. Trees marked in Comptt. 30/Ch were 45=997.50cft, in Comptt. 32/Ch were 153=4607cft, and in Comptt. 33/Ch were 269=4015cft totalling to 467= 9619.50cft and all the marked trees were Chir Species in different Dia-class/Girth.” The complaint filed in the LG office reads.
“The Proper Marking of Trees was conducted and Lists of the same were submitted by the DFO Bhadarwah to the Chief Conservator of Forest Doda and then the same were countersigned and submitted to the Chief Conservator of Forest Working Plan Jammu. That a Formal Administrative Approval/ In Principle was issued/accorded by the higher authorities.”
The complainant also alleges that after receiving the orders from Higher authorities, a formal letter was issued to the Divisional Manager FDC by the DFO Bhadarwah under his office No: DFO/BHAD/FCA/1227-28 on 24/05/2022 to put the said Road Marking in E-Tendering process of FDC to get the Trees extracted through proper channel.
“After receiving the letter from DFO Bhadarwah, The Divisional Manager FDC directed Range Officer Chiralla to initiate The Handing over the Process. The Range officer Chiralla reported that all the extraction has already been done illegally, all the 467trees =9619.15cft have been removed & converted.”
Official sources have also revealed that as of now, there is no Green Standing Tree available, the road has already been upgraded without handing over these compartments to FDC. If not FDC who has extracted these markings.
According to law, the FDC being the only legal agency for extraction of markings that too huge markings of approx. 10,000 CFT.
However, authorities have dismissed the RTI activist’s accusations saying the complainant has vested interest and has procured official documents which in itself is ‘illegal’.
Speaking to Kashmir Observer, Conservator Forests, Jitender Singh denied the allegations saying said the complainant/ activist has a vested interest in the case.
“There have been certain violations wherein some trees had been damaged and the debris had been relocated, in that case, they have been penalized” Jitender said.
As far as the cutting of trees is concerned, their number is less than what is being said.
“Whenever list for a project is made, it involves an exaggerated figure, however, on ground not more than 200 trees were cut down. It involves large number of trees with no timber value, they are not counted as well”
“The complainant has procured the list of the marked trees from somewhere and he is getting deceived by that” Jitender added.
The RTI activist urged the LG administration to order an investigation by an independent agency in the project so that facts could be brought forth.
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