MC fails to maintain record of trees cut for development projects in city

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 27

Hundreds of trees were cut for the ongoing development works in the city. Ironically, the local Municipal Corporation (MC) authorities do not have any record pertaining to trees cut for various projects.

Former Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla has filed an RTI application with the MC to seek details of number of trees axed from 2012 to 2016, its varieties and funds generated after auctioning their wood.

However, the Horticulture Department of the MC claimed that it had not cut trees. It was done by the Public Works Department (PWD) under the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) project, said MC officials.

Chawla questioned as to how the MC authorities could pull back as it was custodian of hundreds of trees within city limits. She asked whether any permission was taken in the MC House meeting in this regard. She also inquired about the agency, which pocketed funds generated after auctioning trees? She alleged that the MC cannot be a mute spectator to devastation of the green wealth in the city.

Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora said the MC House did not give any permission for cutting trees. He added that the NoC was given by an officer of the department following pressure from the ruling party. He said the matter was pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Meanwhile, executive engineer JS Sodhi said the PWD had deposited requisite funds with the Forest Department before chopping trees, which were later auctioned for reimbursement.