Srinagar, Oct 26: Taking strong note of the news report carried by this newspaper regarding favouritism and corruption in the J&K Pollution Control Board, the minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad, has ordered a high level probe into the matter.
The probe will be carried by a senior Indian Forest Service Officer, Dr. T. Ashok Kumar, who is Special Secretary (Technical) in the Forest Department. He has been asked to associate two more officers of his choice in the probe and fix responsibility of the guilty officers besides suggesting corrective measures.
A communication from the office of the Forest Minister under no. PS/FST/4057/2011 dated 21-10-2011 addressed to Commissioner/ Secretary Forests says: “Kindly refer to the news item titled ‘Favouritism Pollutes PCB’ (copy enclosed) published in daily Greater Kashmir dated October 21-2011. I am directed to request you kindly get the matter enquired through Dr. T. Ashok Kumar (IFS) who may co-opt any other officer for enquiry. Hon’ble Minister has desired that report with your comments be placed before him on first working day after Darbar Move at Jammu.”
 “The inquiry I have ordered will fix responsibility and suggest corrective measures. I will take action against the guilty,” Mian Altaf Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.
 “The inquiry officer has been asked to fix responsibility for the alleged favouritism and corruption,” said Shantmanu, Commissioner/Secretary Forests and Environment.
 “I will go through the draft report and finalize the recommendations before sending it to the Hon’ble Minister. Then we will decide about the action to be taken and against whom,” he said.
 Greater Kashmir had reported that a Scientist-C, Incharge Bio-Medical Waste, has been showed undue favours because of her ‘proximity’ with the higher officers of the Board. She has been assigned almost all work in the Board and all files are marked to her despite not relating to her project. This has marred the work culture in the Board besides rendering about a dozen officers workless, including a senior Scientist-C, Scientist-B, four Scientist-A, an Assistant Environmental Engineer, three Inspectors and a Junior Environmental Engineer.
 The inquiry officer will also probe reports of corruption and misuse of official vehicle by the said officer. Despite not entitled to it, she has been allotted an official vehicle by the higher officers while the same is not available to other officers even for official work and inspections.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST