Bhubaneswar, 19 September (H.S.): The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Nabarangpur, has suspended a Forester over alleged unauthorized felling of eucalyptus trees and financial irregularities.

According to an office order issued by Nabarangpur DFO Udayan Subuddhi, IFS, Bipin Kumar Harijan, Forester of Maidalpur Section under Dabugam Range and former Forester of Mohara Section under Jharigaon Range, was placed under suspension with effect from the afternoon of September 18, 2026.

The order stated that prima facie deviations were found in connection with the unauthorized felling of eucalyptus trees along the Deobandha-Jamadarpada road.

The disciplinary action followed a report submitted by the In-charge Forest Range Officer (FRO), Jharigaon, vide Memo No. 608 dated August 31, 2026. The report was based on circumstantial evidence and referred to alleged evidence of an illegal monetary transaction involving Harijan during his tenure as Forester in charge of the Mohara Section under Jharigaon Range.

The Forest Division had earlier issued a show-cause notice to Harijan vide Memo No. 5119 dated August 1, 2026. According to the DFO's order, his response was found unsatisfactory, with the authorities observing serious irregularities.

The DFO placed Harijan under suspension under Clause (a) of Sub-rule (1) of Rule 12 of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1962, pending framing of charges and initiation of departmental disciplinary proceedings.

During the suspension period, Harijan's headquarters has been fixed at the Office of the Divisional Forest Officer, Nabarangpur Forest Division. He has been directed not to leave the headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority.

He will be entitled to subsistence allowance during the suspension period in accordance with Rule 90 of the Orissa Service Code.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda