Seniority ‘ignored’, forest postings stir controversy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 31

Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot has again courted a controversy by reportedly ordering large-scale transfers of field staff in the department.

Not only the seniority of the Indian Forest Services (IFS) with the Punjab Forest Department is not being adhered to, rules have allegedly been violated in a single transfer of nearly 60 lower-field staff.

The issue of the posting of three IFS officers has even reached the Chief Minister’s Office, after they petitioned to Capt Amarinder Singh.

Categorically denying anomaly in the process, Dharamsot said the transfer orders of the field staff had been done on administrative grounds and postings had been done against vacancies. The transfer orders have been issued by the Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) on the directions of the minister. Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Roshan Sarkaria and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Jitendra Sharma were not available for comments.

In the order, foresters were posted at the range level whereas the positions are held by range officers and deputy range officers, the officials pointed out. Despite reservation by the departmental officers, the orders of the field staff were issued.

A woman IFS officer, Pratima Srivastva, had to recently approach the Central Administrative Tribunal after being posted at a non-cadre post, before she was given the charge of the Chief Conservator of Forests (Working Plan). Postings of two officers Vishan Chauhan and Sunil Kumar as the Conservator of Forests and transfer of woman IFS Officer Monika Yadav from Sangrur to Ropar were also being questioned.

A senior officer said IFS and Punjab Forests Services (PFS) officers were given more charges as there was a shortage in the department. “On the lines of the Education Department, the Forest Department should also have the online transfer policy so that there is complete transparency,” said an affected officer.