Corruption charges against forest officer

The Federation of Taluk Dalit Organisations has urged the State Government to take action against the alleged misappropriation of funds by the Forest Department in Mulbagal taluk.

In a press release, honorary president of the Federation, C Krishnappa has alleged that in 2006, Range Forest Officer K V Srinivasappa had encouraged private firms to take up illegal mining in the Kannampalli Government orest area.

As a result of this act, the State Government had to incur a loss of Rs 6.5 crore, the press release stated.

‘Falling into the pit’

Srinivasappa had also claimed to have planted as many as 45,000 saplings under one of the  government projects in the area surrounding the Vinayaka temple in Kurudumale village.

However, only 5,000 pits were dug for the purpose, Krishnappa said, and alleged that the officer had misused the funds meant for the purpose of permitting mining in the forest area.

Krishnappa also alleged that the officer has permitted one of his relatives to encroach forest land at Tavarekere village in Duggasandra hobli.

Permission to company

In the Devarayasamudram forest area, DDR company was permitted to ply its vehicles from Devarayasamudra to Tattanakunti village by clearing trees belonging to the Forest Department, Krishnappa complained.

In addition, he alleged that the officer had accepted bribe from the company.

He also alleged the involvement of the officer in selling the eucalyptus trees in the Gukunte forest area to the private parties without government orders.

He has demanded the higher officers concerned to take suitable action against the range officer.