‘Corruption’ galore in Sindh Forest Division

Ganderbal: Although the incumbent government recently terminated the services of even those officials who had allegedly taken a bribe of Rs 500, but no action was taken against the officials known for the corruption, nepotism and malpractices. There are proven corruption charges against certain officials working in Sindh Forest Division Ganderbal but no action has been initiated against these officials for the reasons better known to the government.

The documents lying with CNS reveal that the then Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sindh Forest Division (SFD) in connivance with other officials of the Division has indulged in corruption and malpractices and has adjusted scores of people illegally under centrally sponsored Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA)

scheme and Watch and Ward Fire Watcher list, thus depriving the deserved candidates from getting adjusted in the Division. The daily wagers and need based employees told CNS that the then DFO Sindh Forest Division Hafizullah Mir, Forester, Malhar Belt of Sindh Forest Division Abdul Khaliq, retired Forester Abdul Ahad, Range Officer Abdul Rashid and another official Muneer Ahmed received huge amounts of bribe from those candidates whom they adjusted illegally in the Sind Forest Division. Ironically, Forester, Malhar Belt of Sindh Forest Division Abdul Khaliq has been serving in the Soil Conservation Range Malhar Sindh Division Forest from past 22 years and the authorities never bothered to transfer him, despite receiving plethora of corruption complaints against the said official.

“Forester Abdul Khaliq has huge bank balance that is sufficient to give shock to anybody. He owns huge private property including three private vehicles and we are telling you with authority if government will corner him, he will reveal his source of ‘illegal’ income,” said the employees.

The officials have not only adjusted outsiders in the Division, but have also managed to grab a position for their relatives mostly their sons. Confirming that his son Bilal Ahmed a resident a Rabitar Ganderbal has been adjusted under CAMPA scheme under serial number 38, a retired Forester Abdul Ahad told CNS that it is two years old matter. “It is not a big issue,” he said. When asked that why the deserved candidates were not adjusted, he said that whatever was done was the discretion of then DFO Sindh Forest Division.

The Range Officer Abdul Rashid a resident of Pottermulla Ganderbal denied that his son Fayaz Ahmed is now working in the Division. “Yes, he was adjusted in the Division, but I asked him to quit,” he said. However, the written documents reveal that influential Range Officer has managed to adjust his son in the Division and his name figures at number 39 in the list vide number 1392-93/E dated 27/6/14.

The aggrieved candidates who alleged that they were ignored as they refused to grease the palms of the officials said that they lodged a written complaint in Crime Branch and they are hopeful the agency will nail and expose these ‘corrupt’ officials. “We appeal government to investigate the ongoing bungling in SFD and terminate the services of the corrupt officials,” they said. 

Ironically all the officials whose names figure in the ‘scam’ requested CNS not to file the news report.

When contacted Forest Minister Bali Bhagat said that strict action will be initiated all the officials indulging in the corruption, nepotism and malpractices. “It is the ultimate objective of our government to show the door to the corrupt officials,” he said. 

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