Srinagar: The Urban Forest Division Srinagar has allegedly become a hub of corruption as officers in the Department are looting the public exchequer with both hands.
With the total ban on felling green trees the state government had a few years back liberalized the import of timber and no restriction was imposed on import of timber. Private companies importing timber from different parts of country or from abroad had to only get registration done at Lakhanpur (entry point to Jammu and Kashmir).
However, sources told KNS that Urban Forest Division Srinagar charges Rs seven per cft of timber from the dealers who pass on it to customers to certify that the timber is imported and can be taken from once place to another. Similarly, for finished products of imported timber, the forest officials charge Rs 20 from the customers in total violation of laws. On an average every month atleast 50 thousand cft of timber is imported and sold in Srinagar only and forest officials earn lakhs of rupees as bribe, they claimed.
Sources said the premier Division is presently headed by a junior officer of the rank of Range Officer (RO), who due to his political connections managed the posting. Mukhtar Ahmad Hakim who is just a RO has been heading the Division for the last one and half years. With the blessings of Chief Conservator Forests (CCF) Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Darzi, the incharge DFO Urban has made the Division a money minting machine, they alleged.
While Hakim is close relative of former MLC Sheikh Ghualm Rasool, who recently joined PDP, Darzi is considered to be close the outgoing Omar Abdullah government.
Hakim, who was booked by the Vigilance Organisation more than a decade ago for his alleged role in misappropriation of IWDP funds, has been heading the Division despite being the junior most officer. The Division headed by Mukhtar also charges heavy amounts as bribe from band saw, veneer, joinery and other mill owners for registration. The bribe ranges from Rs 40000 to Rs 200000 and from senior officers to junior most all are in the loop, a senior officer of the department wishing anonymity alleged.
He said that Mukhtar in 2013-2014 financial year spent more than Rs three crores without completing the codal formalities. Mukhtar along with his senior officers looted the money and if a proper probe is held it will be revealed how ruthlessly the public money was swindled by these corrupt officers, he added.
Demanding a thorough and impartial probe by the Vigilance Organisation into the affairs of the Division, the officer said, I hope that the upcoming government takes a cue of these reports and holds those accountable who have looted the public money.
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