Times of
India: Nagpur: Tuesday, 25 February 2020.
In
an unprecedented decision, a range forest officer (RFO) from Yavatmal has been
asked to deposit Rs74.87 lakh for irregularities committed by him in plantation
and nursery development works under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Sources
said based on information received under RTI, a complaint was lodged by one
Sachin Kukkulwar from Jodmoha in Kalamb tehsil with Yavatmal collector alleging
financial irregularities by RFO SG Hatkar.
Hatkar
was RFO, Hiwri, under Yavatmal forest division in 2017-2018. After the
complaint, a committee was set up in March 2019 under Yavatmal collector to
probe the matter. The committee found glaring irregularities committed by
Hatkar in purchases for raising 6.95 lakh saplings in eight nurseries under
Hiwri range. The report was submitted to Yavatmal conservator of forests (CF)
Ravindra Wankhede in November 2019.
The
committee charged Hatkar with financial bunglings in purchases of material from
various parties by violating prescribed procedure. These purchases relate to
green nets, teak root stumps, bamboo sticks, sand, soil, manure, polybags,
watering of plants among other things.
Some
of the works were carried out despite lack of provision in the budget. These
irregularities in purchases and other works amounted to over Rs74.87 lakh.
Based
on its findings, the committee not only directed to recover entire amount from
Hatkar but also recommended action against him under Maharashtra Civil Services
(Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1979, and MGNREG Act, 2005.
“On
the recommendation of the collector-led committee, we have issued a challan to
Hatkar on January 2, 2020, and asked him to deposit the money in government
treasury in 30 days. However, Hatkar has moved Maharashtra Administrative
Tribunal (MAT) against the decision,” said Yavatmal deputy conservator of forest
(DyCF) Dr BN Pingle.
Hatkar,
who has been posted in social forestry department (SFD) in Yavatmal now, has
contended that the committee’s recommendation is one-sided as he was not
allowed to submit his say.
“The
forest department and collector have been asked to file reply in three weeks,”
Pingle added.
Cracking
the whip
- RFO of Hiwri SG Hatkar charged with purchasing material worth Rs74.87 lakh without following rules
- A Jodmoha resident files complaint with collector
- As works pertained to EGS, Yavatmal collector orders inquiry
- Committee found allegations to be true and asked Yavatmal CF to recover amount from RFO
- Bhandara DFO with social forestry was suspended in December on similar charges
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