Interview To Be Conducted Against Illegal Appointments

HT Bureau

DIPHU, April 4: Advertisements would be published and interviews would be conducted for all the 1,600 posts against which illegal appointments were made in various forest divisions of forest department in Karbi Anglong during the tenure of principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF), Dr Abhijit Rabha, IFS in Karbi Anglong, chief executive member (CEM), Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang said, while talking to media persons at his official residence here on Tuesday.

It may be mentioned here that the secretary, environment & forest department, KAAC, Mukul Kathar through letter no.KAAC/E&F/Estt./illegal appointment/2021-2022/1844, dtd. 19/12/2022, issued on March 21, 2023, has directed the DFOs of West Division, East Division and Hamren Division to file an FIR against retired special principal chief conservator of forest (Special PCCF), Dr Abhijit Rabha and all other officials, persons involved in the illegal appointment under forest & environment department.

The posts were Forester – I, Forest Guards and LDAs.

Between 2015 to 2020 Dr Rabha was holding the post of additional principal chief conservator, PCCF and special PCCF. The KAAC authority alleged that there was a huge illegal appointment made during Dr Rabha’s tenure.

Replying to the queries given by media persons the CEM said, “There are 1,600 illegal appointments during the tenure of Dr Rabha in the forest department. The KAAC needs Rs 60 crore per year to give salary to the already appointed persons.

The appointments were given without the approval and advertisement of the KAAC.”

“There is an order by the Supreme Court that appointment without advertisement and interview should be on merit basis. Appointment without an interview is illegal. They will not receive salaries. Considering this the KAAC has decided to give advertisements and conduct interviews. Let those already engaged, let them continue. But we need to observe formalities, CEM said.

The CEM also informed that the KAAC has adopted a resolution in the Executive Committee (EC) meeting to lodge an FIR against Dr Rabha. Legal advice has been taken.

On the progress of the construction of flyover bridge from East Division Forest Tiniali to post office in Diphu town the CEM said, “If development has to be implemented then work has to be fast. The work for the flyover in Diphu town has started before awarding the work order. The amount is Rs 224 crore. We are planning to get the flyover inaugurated by December, 2023 and to make the work faster we have to start the work prior to obtaining the work order.”