Raipur, 30 April (H.S.): The central government has demanded a report from the state government regarding corruption complaints against Chhattisgarh Forest Department's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests V. Srinivas Rao.
The Centre took cognisance of these complaints in April 2026, writing to Chhattisgarh's Chief Secretary seeking investigation details and action taken status report. Addressing serious allegations of corruption and financial irregularities, the state government received directives for thorough probe and submission of comprehensive status report.
The Department of Personnel and Training received written complaints against Rao alleging corruption and abuse of office, prompting directions to Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary for investigation. Social activist Prateek Pandey wrote to Prime Minister's Office citing irregularities during Rao's tenure. PMO forwarded it to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Retired officers and RTI activists also filed complaints with PMO between October 2025 and March 2026. While some complainants remained anonymous, they claimed documentary evidence of tender irregularities and budget allocation manipulations.
Notably, corruption, disproportionate assets, and irregularity probes run against nearly every fifth IFS officer in Chhattisgarh (24 out of 118 total).
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap clarified no departmental corruption will be spared.
Government directed detailed investigation based on Centre's letter, ordering facts presentation. Chief Minister's Office stated state administration sought explanation from Forest Department via Chief Secretary. Government assured impartial report to Centre, with strict disciplinary action if allegations prove true.
1990-batch Indian Forest Service officer Rao retires May 31. Serious allegations include favouring preferred officers in appointments/transfers, financial irregularities in CAMPA fund works, biodiversity conservation and forest guard recruitment irregularities, corruption in sawmill operations/allotments, and wrongful appointments in closed forest schools.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
