GUWAHATI, March 4 ? The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has detected loss of revenue amounting to Rs 15.14 crore in 72 cases in the Forest Department in the year 2000-2001. The CAG, in its report for the year 2000-2001, which was tabled in the State Assembly recently said that during that year, the State Forest Department lost revenue amounting to Rs 90.78 lakh on account of damage of timber, Rs 160.76 lakh for delay in settlement of mahal, quarry etc, Rs 128.73 lakh due to non-disposal and delay in disposal of timber, Rs 344.26 lakh due to locking up of revenue because of delay in disposal of timber or non-realisation of royalty, Rs 395.92 lakh due to illegal felling or removal of timber and Rs 393.43 lakh due to miscellaneous irregularities.
The CAG, in its report, gave details of certain irregularities in the Forest Department, which resulted in loss of revenue. The report said that under the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 and the rules framed thereunder, felling or removal of forest produce from the forest areas without valid authorisation constitutes an offence. Test check of the records of three divisional forest offices between April 2000 and November 2000 released that 7986.286 cubic metres of timber valued at Rs 1.85 crore was removed by miscreants. The divisions concerned stated that the depletion of the forest took place due to insufficient deployment of the Forest Protection Force, also because of their factors like shortage of vehicles and lack of sophisticated weapons. The matter was referred to the Government in June 2000 and February 2001. The matter was again followed up with a reminder to the Government in July 2001 but till October 2001, no reply was received by the CAG, the report added.
The CAG said that the departmentally operated as well as seized timber and logs are deposited in the nearest depot. The logs are graded according to size and quantity and put to sale through tender. Protection of timber from the vagaries of weather, damage or theft is the primary responsibility of the Department. The report pointed out that the Department suffered a loss amounting to Rs 40.93 lakh due to pilferage of timber under the Divisional Forest Officer, Haltugaon. The CAG, in its report said that as per the rules, protection of forest property is the responsibility of the Forest Department. The report pointed out that soft wood timber such as Hollong, Bonsum etc. lose their commercial value after three months of felling. The report said that test check of the records of the Divisional Forest Officer, Tinsukia logging division, revealed that wind-fallen trees of soft-wood species like Hollong, Gamari etc. measuring 458.21 cu.m valued at Rs 13.34 lakh had been lying in the jungle for more than one and half years and no step was taken for their departmental operation despite the fact that this delay caused deterioration in the commercial value of the timber and loss of revenue to the Government. The Department, which admitting the loss, stated that the wind-fallen trees could not be operated due to want of funds.
The CAG, in its report, pointed out a number of irregularities in allotment of mahals, quarries etc. in different parts of the State. Test check of the records of the Divisional Forest Officer, Cachar Division, during the period October and November 2000 revealed that the Madhuna stone mahal was settled in November 1994 at Rs 27.31 lakh for extraction of 10,000 cubic metres of stone by direct negotiation and the mahaldar extracted 6050 cu.m of stone during the working period. The mahaldar was, however, granted three extensions to extract the balance quantity on payment of extension fee of Rs 1.42 lakh despite his default in making payments of mahal dues. The grant of extensions resulted in loss of revenue amounting to Rs 39.54 lakh. The CAG also pointed out several other irregularities in settlement of mahals in other divisional forest offices in the State.