PANAJI
Two forest guards were suspended and two field surveyors came under government scrutiny over allegations of bribery in separate incidents reported on Friday.
The Forest Department suspended its guards Sandeep Mandrekar and Prasad Teli following accusations that they demanded a bribe from businessman Pritesh Desai in Mapusa to expedite the processing of a file.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed the suspensions stating that the department has a strict no-tolerance policy towards corruption. “On Desai's complaint, we immediately suspended the forest guards pending further investigation. We will not tolerate any form of corruption within our department,” Rane stated during a media interaction. He also issued a stern warning that any official found guilty of corruption would face dismissal after due legal process.
In a related development concerning the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, two surveyors have come under scrutiny. Rane has directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to move the Vigilance Department to investigate Mohamed leshad and Pramod Naik, both field surveyors, following multiple allegations of bribery.
Complaints state that surveyors have been demanding bribes to exclude certain areas from being designated as private forests during their surveys.
“Several complaints are being received from people against Mohamed Ieshad and Pramod Naik, both DSLR field surveyors, that they are asking money from people while conducting surveys to keep their areas out of private forests. In this connection, the Forest Department may move a file through PCCF to the Vigilance Department to take action as many complaints are received against the two Field Surveyors mentioned above,” the order stated.
