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Rajasthan Forest Department Delays Probe into Corruption Allegations for Over 15 Months
15 months & counting, Rajasthan Forest Department sits on its probe that exposed graft within
Image: The Indian Express
The Rajasthan Forest Department has stalled an investigation into alleged embezzlement of ₹17 crore linked to plantation works for over 15 months. Initial reports indicated corruption involving forged documents, yet a subsequent report dismissed the need for further inquiry, leading to calls for a third investigation.
- 01An internal report alleged illegal withdrawals exceeding ₹17 crore for soil work in Alwar's forest range.
- 02A second report claimed payments were made via bank transfers, negating the need for an Anti-Corruption Bureau probe.
- 03The forest department has faced scrutiny over plantation fund mismanagement across multiple districts.
- 04The initial enquiry report highlighted unnecessary expenditures of over ₹2 crore and illegal withdrawals of more than ₹15 crore.
- 05The Rajasthan government has invested ₹600-800 crore annually in plantation schemes, raising concerns about systemic irregularities.
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The Rajasthan Forest Department has faced criticism for delaying an investigation into alleged corruption related to ₹17 crore in embezzled funds from plantation works for over 15 months. An internal report indicated that forest officials and Village Forest Protection and Management Committees (VFPMCs) were involved in illegal withdrawals and forged documents. Following this, a second report claimed that payments were made through bank transfers, suggesting no need for an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigation. This has led to calls for a third report to clarify the discrepancies. The department's practices have come under scrutiny as similar allegations of fund mismanagement have surfaced in various districts, with the National Green Tribunal noting possible misuse of afforestation funds. The state has allocated significant resources, estimated at ₹600-800 crore annually, for plantation initiatives, prompting concerns about systemic corruption and the effectiveness of these programs.
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The delay in investigating corruption allegations could hinder effective management of plantation funds, impacting local communities involved in forest protection.
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