The Rajasthan state forest department has established inquiry committees to examine payments for development works carried out in the Alwar, Ajmer, and Bikaner forest divisions over the past two decades. This move follows directives issued on May 19 by state forest minister Sanjay Sharma, who ordered a probe into payments for development works in these divisions.
Background of the Investigation
Minister Sharma's instructions came after a representation by Viratnagar MLA Kuldeep Dhankhar, who called for a wider investigation into development works and payments in Alwar and other divisions across the state. Dhankhar alleged that despite a 2004 government order prohibiting cash payments for development works, substantial cash transactions continued in Alwar. He also claimed that an ongoing inquiry covering 2015-16 to 2023-24 deliberately excluded the period from 2004-05 to 2014-15 in order to shield certain officials.
Official Orders and Scope
Official correspondence reveals that Sharma initially directed scrutiny of development-work payments in the Alwar Forest Division for the period 2004-05 to 2023-24. He further ordered that in the first phase, one territorial forest division at each divisional headquarters be selected for similar checks. The orders, issued on Wednesday by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Arijit Banerjee, cover payments made between 2004-05 and 2023-24. A senior official stated, "Committees have been directed to submit their reports in one month. This is the first phase of the exercise. Additional forest divisions are expected to be covered in subsequent phases."
Timeline and Compliance
In his May 19 note, Sharma requested the formation of the committee within three days and a detailed action-taken report within one month. However, a June 5 communication from the minister's office indicated that the orders were not received. Consequently, special assistant Ashok Kumar Yogi directed the department to issue the orders and submit them for the minister's perusal.
Concerns Raised by Environmental Lawyer
Tapeshwar Singh, an environmental lawyer who filed a complaint before the National Green Tribunal alleging corruption in the Alwar Forest Division, expressed concerns about the new inquiry. He said, "This move could dilute the ongoing inquiry into the alleged illegal withdrawal of nearly Rs 20 crore for advance soil works in the Alwar division during 2021-24. Two inquiry reports have already been submitted, while a third is still pending. These fresh orders risk diverting attention from the case and delaying accountability. The government should first act on the findings of the existing inquiries and take action against the officials found responsible."
