DPM Gachhadar ‘abuses authority' to release smuggled timbers
Useful Links
» A new way to read online, exact replica of your daily and magazine
» For all you tweety fans out there!
» Allows you to find only those news from any date you choose!
» Search any news/ articles by author/ category/ date/ keyword
SAPTARI, JUL 07 - In what may come as a shocking example of abuse of authority, preparations are underway to release illegally cut down logs under the pressure from Deputy Prime Minister Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar, a source said.
The revelation comes days after the Cabinet extended the ban on felling trees for two more months after widespread reports of massive deforestation especially in the Tarai region.
On Monday, Cadres of Matrika Yadav-led CPN-Maoist with the help of locals had impounded four trucks carrying Khayar woods while they were being ferried to Itahari.
According to Inspector at Kahchanpur Area Police Office, Shiva Mukhiya, the four trucks—(Na 2 Kha 7203), (Na 3 Kha 7062), (Na 3 Kha 400) and (Na 2 Kha 1640)—have been sent to Area Forest Office for investigation.
Despite the claims that the Khayar woods were brought from Bhojpur district, the source said the woods were brought form various community and national forests in Saptari and Udayapur districts.
CPN-Maoist Saptari in-charge Mahesh Yadav asserted each of the trucks contains 70 metric tons contrary to the contractor’s declaration that each truck contains 30 tons.
It has been estimated that the arrested Khayar logs worth Rs 3 million.
The Maoist cadres and locals have been demanding the the authorities verify the amount of wood and its document.
However, the local administration, forest officials and the wood businessman have been saying that it cannot be checked.
While the wood contractor, Ashok Chaudhari have claimed that the documents are genuine and that it would be problematic to unload the sealed logs for checking at various.
The sources said Minister Gachhadar have been pressurising to allow unobstructed passage of the trucks as the contractor Chaudhari is the minister’s relative.
Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Ram Prasad Ghimire said the arrested wood is being investigated.
Posted on: 2010-07-07 02:08
Post Your Comment