Lalru tree felling: Role of MC president, EO under the scanner

Gaurav Kanthwal

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 9

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Pooja Syal has submitted an interim report to the Principal Secretary, Local Government, regarding the alleged cutting of trees on 90 acres of forest-like shamlat land under the Lalru Municipal Council (MC) in the Dera Bassi subdivision.

“I have submitted an interim report. The final report will be submitted after a week or so. I will be able to share the details after that,” she said. Sources said the report put MC president Bindu Rana and the Executive Officer’s role in the alleged cutting of trees, which led to the loss to the exchequer, under the scanner. The report mentioned that the Lalru police had been intimated to take appropriate action against the bidder, the sources added.

On November 26, Dera Bassi MLA NK Sharma had flagged the issue and later met Mohali DC Isha Kalia seeking action against the erring officials. “MC officials, in order to benefit near and dear ones, had sold these trees worth around Rs2 crore for just Rs2.25 lakh,” the MLA had alleged. “Trees with a diameter of about two-and-a-half feet were cut. Around 50 people were engaged to cut trees. It was done without the Forest Department’s nod,” he had said.

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