Green schemes stuck between two departments for 2 years

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, January 27

Two dream schemes of the state government that were launched with much fanfare during Haryana’s golden jubilee year two years ago to save the environment are stuck between two departments for implementation.

According to information obtained by advocate Amit Kumar under the RTI Act, no sapling has been planted in the district under the schemes —‘Har Gaon Pedon Ki Chhaon’ and ‘Har Ghar Haryali’ — in 2018-19.

In 2017-18, the Forest Department was supposed to plant 12 lakh grafted fruit saplings under the ‘Har Ghar Haryali’ scheme and two lakh under the ‘Har Gaon Pedon ki Chhaon’ scheme. The advocate said block development and panchayat officers (BDPOs) were entrusted with the task to implement the schemes with the technical support of respective territorial range forest officials.

However, the Forest Department claimed that the scheme was transferred to the Development and Panchayat Department in December 2017 while all six BDPOs from Panipat, Samalkha, Madlauda, Israna, Sanoli Khurd and Bapoli claimed that there was no record about the schemes in their offices.

“It clearly shows that no plantation took place under these schemes in the district,” Amit Kumar alleged.

Deputy Conservator, Forest, Jitender Ahlawat, admitted to some issues at the higher level about the implementation of the schemes. He said no sapling had been planted in the current financial year so far.

He said it was yet to be decided that whether the Forest Department or the Development and Panchayat Department would implement the schemes.

No record about schemes 

• In 2017-18, the Forest Department was supposed to plant 12 lakh grafted fruit saplings under the ‘Har Ghar Haryali’ scheme and two lakh under the ‘Har Gaon Pedon ki Chhaon’ scheme. 

• However, the department claimed that the scheme was transferred to the Development and Panchayat Department in December 2017.

• All six block development and panchayat officers (BDPO) from Panipat, Samalkha, Madlauda, Israna, Sanoli Khurd and Bapoli claimed that there was no record about the schemes in their offices.