Uttarakhand forest official under probe reinducted

A forest official in Uttarakhand, against whom a vigilance probe is in progress, has been reinstated to the post from which he was removed by the state government following allegations of financial irregularities.

Kishan Chand was removed as deputy director of Rajaji Tiger Reserve in November last year and reinducted as deputy conservator of forest in June, the post he held as deputy director of the reserve.

According to the rules, the deputy director also holds the post of the deputy conservator of forest.

The order for Chand's reinduction was issued by principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Jairaj on June 11. A copy of the order is with PTI.

Rajaji Tiger Reserve Director Sanatan said the re-induction is in violation of the state government order removing Chand as the deputy director and attaching him with the office of chief wildlife warden DVS Khati.

Sanatan said he has written to the PCCF and Additional Principal Secretary (Forests) Ranbir Singh apprising them with his view on the matter.

When contacted, Singh said the order attaching Chand with the chief wildlife warden stands unchanged.

Asked if the PCCF order violates the state government's order, he said he was not aware of the development so far.

"However if there is something wrong, it will be looked into," he added.