In a stern observation against the National Gandhi Museum, the Central Information Commission has asked it to explain alleged illegal felling of trees in its compound, noting it was "surprising" that it failed to prevent the "massacre".
The case relates to G L Verma, who is a member of National Gandhi Museum Library and a frequent visitor. One day he found that around 25 trees on the campus having been cut in "most brazen manner".
Later, he filed an RTI application seeking information regarding alleged pruning of about 25 trees by the NGO running the museum against which he had lodged a complaint last December.
"To check and prevent felling of trees and only pruning is done, the rules made mandate to photograph before and after pruning. But no such photographs were taken. Those cut trees were sold in the private market. Then false receipts were generated as if the pruned pieces of trees were sold to crematorium at Sat Nagar," Verma alleged.
He claimed if the produce from pruning, if genuine, should have been sold in nearby crematorium.
"As two nearby crematorium managers refused to give false vouchers, these persons had to transport to far off places. The NGO could secure undue advantage up to Rs 18.76 lakh (67 trees x Rs 28,000 per tree). Without verification, the false information was furnished. Even after the First Appellate Authority ordered the information was not given," Verma claimed before the Commission.
Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to explain why penalty should not be imposed for delay and giving false and incomplete information.
"It is surprising to note that National Gandhi Museum is no exception in failing to prevent massacre of trees, and non-response to illegal activities in selling out tree to cremation grounds," he said.
"The Commission directs the Director of National Gandhi Museum to furnish certified copies of relevant documents along with the affidavit explaining their response to the RTI application within 15 days from the date of receipt of this order," Acharyulu said.
