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ARENA OF SPAT
* At an official function of Department of Forests
THE ISSUE
* Chief Conservator of Forests not willing to meet complainants
ARLEKAR'S FIRE
* Behave yourself. What kind of public officer are you
OFFICER'S RETORT
* Not bound to follow the minister's instructions.
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The differences between Minister for Environment and Forests Rajendra Arlekar and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vijay Saxena came to a head leading to a verbal spat between the minister and Saxena in full view of the media on Wednesday after an official function of Department of Forests.
The argument went to such an extent that the Minister told Saxena to “behave himself” as he was at a public place. "Behave yourself. What kind of public officer are you. People are coming to me complaining that you are not willing to meet them. They are coming to me asking to solve their problems," said Arlekar.
Sources close to the forest minister informed that the minister was peeved with the head of his department over the latter's refusal to meet the public.
“For several months now the minister has been receiving complaints that the PCCF has not been entertaining the public at his office,” the source said.
People, many of whom had grievances, used to approach the minister who used to direct them to the PCCF only to find the same people returning to him saying they were not entertained, either denied an appointment or simply not admitted in his cabin.
The minister sought to remind the PCCF that he is a public servant and that he was duty bound to entertain the public.
The PCCF too was firm on countering the the minister having allegedly told him that he is not bound to follow the minister's instructions.
This is the second time in three days that Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar is involved in a public spat after being confronted over the mundkars' issue at the Liberation Day function in Pernem on December 19.
