The DVAC has registered cases against two forest department officials and a contractor for allegedly misappropriating funds meant for an afforestation project being implemented in the state with funding from Japan International cooperation agency
The funds in question were allegedly misappropriated from that alloted for Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Project, a massive afforestation programme, being implemented by planting seedlings in 32 districts from 2011-19 at an outlay of 668.28 crore.
Barring Chennai, seedlings were being planted in the 31 districts, both the forest areas and open places.
Based on complaints about massive financial irregularities, VAC carried out a probe and found irregularities in some districts, it said in a release.
Investigation revealed that retired forest ranger given responsibility of the project, along with a former Forestry Extention Officer in Namakkal district, allegedly colluded with a forest contractor and produced 12 fake bills and vouchers of Rs 10.77 lakh for the project at Pichanur village and misappropriated public funds, police said.
The original FIR was submitted to the Special Judge, Special Court for Prevention of Corruption Act here and Superintendent of Police, Western Range, VCA Chennai, they said.
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