Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
jammu, Mar 8: The Rural Development Department (RDD) has apparently adopted a unique modus operandi to squander public exchequer, according to which several road works have been started without even applying for forest clearance.
Though RDD is unambiguously clear that road projects will not be completed in many years to come, yet tens of lakhs of rupees are being thrown for roads' construction in various blocks of district Kathua.
A forest official pleading anonymity said that as per JK Forest Act of 1987, without proper intimation, even construction work on private land could not be taken by any department.
In the 92nd Forest Advisory Council meeting on 1/3/2016, chaired by Chief Secretary BR Sharma, he had said, "Under no circumstances should the cut and fill operations associated with the road construction damage, the adjacent Forest slopes and impede precious steams".
Sources informed Early Times that showing thumb to orders of Chief Secretary, two road projects including Link road to village Pharal and road from Ghatti to Nandenal in block Barnoti have been started by RDD block Barnoti.
"The work on Link road to village Pharal was already started and a JCB machine was also being used. A forest stretch of more than two kilometers falls in the road project proposal", sources said, adding that despite aware of fact that Forest land fell in the proposed road, the RDD has not even applied for the permission.
Moreover, the work on road from village Ghatti to Nandenal has not been started but inauguration stone was already installed and work could be started anytime but once again RDD has not applied for forest permission, for the land falling in proposed project.
Similarly on March 1, an earth mover was reportedly put in service by some contractor for construction of road from village Barwal to Bindal, which falls in compartment 3/K of Forest Range Kathua. "The concerned forest officials went on spot and stopped the work after seizing the JCB, but some people reportedly had attacked the forest team and got the JCB released", sources said.
"The RDD officials are in favour of constructing Kuccha roads, rather than pacca as for repairs of Kaccha work, every year huge money is utilized or in simple terms looted by officials and contractors", sources alleged.
They further said that it was also very intriguing to note that the proposals were not made by RDD for construction of roads and money was being wasted on so called road projects.
Chief Conservator of Forests, BM Sharma said that he had received reports that three road projects were taken by RDD without their permission.
"DFO Kathua is on round the clock vigil and would not allow any construction in Forest land without department's permission", he said, adding that it was rampant violation of Forest Acts.
Director RDD, ML Raina said that as per schemes of department, the RDD would not venture in forest land for roads construction as unnecessarily money would be blocked. "In RDD schemes there are no funds for acquisition of land", he said.
ACD Kathua, Sunil Singh on being asked, about Forest clearance prior to construction work, he said that they would not construct road in Forest area and forest permission would be taken when the road enters forest area. |
