Taking serious note of the Samba Tehsildar's "irresponsible" approach, State Vigilance Commission (SVC) has asked the Deputy Commissioner, Samba to ensure the officer's presence in person before it.
The commission has also issued a show-cause notice to the Tehsildar, asking him why proceedings for non-compliance of its orders should not be initiated against him under the J&K State Vigilance Commission Act and Rules, an SVC officer said.
The commission took cognizance of a complaint lodged by Thoru Ram, alleging that some Forest Department officials of Samba tehsil, in connivance with some "known" timber smugglers of the area, have effected a closure on his landat Duria village in Samba without his knowledge.
The complainant also allegedthat theForest officials, "misusing their official position", had illegally sold trees planted on the land and misappropriated the amount, causing loss to thestate exchequer.
SVC had sought a ground report, based on revenue, forest records and demarcation, from the Samba Tehsildar in this regard, but the officer neither submitted it nor appeared before the commission on the date of hearing.
"It is prima facie revealed that he (Tehsildar) is deliberately shielding the omissions and commissions of the Forest officials," the officer said.
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