Other forest officers including the then DFO of Gaya have been accused of embezzlement including financial irregularities. The special committee of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department has submitted the final investigation report in the matter on November 16, 2021 and has confirmed the blame on the concerned officials. The department has sought an explanation from the accused. Action on the report is awaited for about 18 months now. According to sources, the Special Investigation Committee constituted by the department has confirmed the embezzlement of government funds to the tune of three crore 34 lakh 92 thousand 537 in its report. Along with this, the misuse of Rs 5 crore 55 lakh 18 thousand 995 government funds has been confirmed.
what is the whole matter
Eight newly created nurseries in Forest Division Gaya were to be developed during 2019-20 and 2020-21. For this, Rs 21 crore 70 lakh 43 thousand 714 was sanctioned. Gaya’s then DFO and other forest officials are accused of not making the necessary constructions approved and doing other constructions. For example, instead of making a water tank, a poly house was made. For the first time PCCF (Headquarters) inspected the Kushabija nursery of Gaya Forest Division on 27th September, 2020. In the inspection note, he had sought clarification from DFO Gaya regarding getting other works done instead of the approved works.
Special Investigation Committee probed the matter
PCCF Headquarters, considering it a case of financial irregularity, sought opinion from PCCF (Development) on 29 October 2020 after investigation. After this, a special investigation committee was also formed. In 2019-20, the then DFO of Gaya, Abhishek Kumar gave technical approval to the scheme up to 50 lakhs. Along with this, S. Chandrashekhar had given technical approval on a scheme worth more than Rs. Apart from this, Patna’s Regional Chief Conservator of Forests PK Gupta had given technical approval of Rs 21 crore 70 lakh 43 thousand 714. Arvind Chaudhary, Principal Secretary, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department said that appropriate action will be taken after reviewing the entire matter.