Kashmir Reader: Anantnag: Friday, 01 August 2014.
A Right to
Information activist Thursday alleged that forest officials posted in Qazigund
area are providing him wrong information in the distribution of timber.
Javed Ahmad
Bhat, son of Noor Mohammad Bhat, of Nowbug Kund, told Kashmir Reader that he
filed an application seeking information about the quantity of timber
distributed in the area. In response the forest officials posted at range
office Lewdoora Qazigund furnished the information and the names of the family
heads to whom the timber was provided. However, the applicant alleges that all
the information furnished by the officials was wrong.
“In the
information the officials claim that 54 feet timber was provided to the local
Masjid which is totally wrong. They provided only 46 feet timber to Masjid to
which every villager stands witness. Besides the names of the people, the
officials claim to have been provided timber, have not received even a single
inch,” Javed told Kashmir Reader.
According to
the RTI activist, the forest officials informed him that Mohammad Ibrahim
Hajam, Ghulam Qadir Khanday and Abdul Majid Ganai have been provided timber.
“These three
persons have given in writing that they have never applied for timber and have
received nothing but the irony is that timber has been distributed and sold in
their names,” he said.
After being
provided wrong information, Javed said that he filed another application before
divisional forest officer Anantnag. In response to his complaint, the DFO, vide
letter number 1778-79 FWP dated 19.07.2014, directed the officials at range
office to provide the fresh and correct information to the applicant and treat
the matter as most urgent. However, Javed alleges that he was given no fresh
information.
“By
concealing information the officials are trying to hide their wrongdoings in
the distribution and sale of timber in the area. It seems to be a big fraud
involving the forest officials. The higher ups of the department should look
into the matter,” said Javed.
DFO Anantnag,
Tawheed Ahmad was not available for the comment. However, range officer,
Qazigund, Farooq Ahmad expressed ignorance about the matter and said that he
has recently joined in the area.
“I have
joined this posting only a week ago. So I am not aware about the matter,” said
Farooq.
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