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Western
Ghats News
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All's not well in forest sector: PAC |
| TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2002 11:43:12 PM] |
| BANGALORE: Encroachment into forest area had gone up from 17,707 acres to a whopping 59,502 acres during the last 10 years. Crores of rupees had been withdrawn in excess from the state exchequer for forest projects, and the officers concerned had been let scot-free. Rs 11 lakh meant for promoting forestry was spent for construction of a building. All this and more are the revelations of the Public Account Committee (PAC) on forest, ecology and environment for 1992-2000, which was submitted to the state government on Friday. Committee chairman A. Ramdas said the state exchequer has incurred losses to the tune of lakhs of rupees due to failure in collecting sales tax and maintaining a log book on timber trade. The committee has recommended the government to undertake census on sandalwood trees to stop misappropriation. Citing irregularities in the implementation of the Western Ghats development project, the committee said officials created documents without visiting the place. |