(a) whether the Government is aware of the reported collusion of forest department officials in the illegal felling of trees in forests;
(b) if so, the details of officials involved therein, during the last three years along with the action taken by the Govt. in this regard, State –wise; and
(c) the details of such officials who are still in service despite found involved in such illegal activity along with the reasons for the same?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) to (c) Over the years there have been few instances where this Ministry has received information through different sources, related to collusion of forest department officials in the illegal felling of trees in forests. The Ministry deals with Indian Forest Service Officers (IFS). As IFS is an All India Service, officers are placed with the different State Cadres except AGMUT for which this Ministry is the Controlling Authority. Under the AIS(D&A) Rules, 1969, the State Govt. is Competent Authority to initiate and take action against the IFS Officers for any violations of rules. It is only where the State Govts. decide to impose the penalty of Compulsory Retirement, Removal or Dismissal from service, that the case is forwarded to this Ministry for necessary action.
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