TV
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued directives for disciplinary action against the Begunia Tehsildar in Khordha district following allegations of tree cutting for road construction.
The decision followed after residents of Chima village in Begunia approached the NGT, claiming that over a hundred trees were felled to construct a road under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
The allegations also stated that tree cutting was not part of the approved plan and that no prior permission was sought from the DFO (Divisional Forest Officer) of Khordha.
Subsequently, the bench comprising Hon’ble Justice B. Amit Sthalekar and Judicial Member Hon’ble Dr Arun Kumar Verma observed negligence of duty on the part of the Tehsildar during a hearing on January 29 and has now released its final order.
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“Thus, we find that prima facie there has been a lack of promptitude and sincerity and devotion towards duty on the part of the Tahasildar, Begunia, Khordha in promptly reporting the felling of trees to the authorities which have resulted in grave loss of revenue to the said exchequer,” the order stated and mandated disciplinary action against the Tehsildar.
As per the allegations, the residents had claimed that as many as 100 fruit-bearing trees, including mature ones were felled without any permission of the DFO. The NGT had then constituted a committee to probe the matter, which then found evidence of tree cutting and identified 12 stumps.
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Further, as per the report of the Range Officer of Tangi and the committee constituted by the Tribunal, only the stump of Fasi, Kochila, and Mai species were available on the alleged plots but there was evidence of Kasi, Neem, Sal, Jackfruit, Aksia, that had been allegedly felled.
