Dehradun: Controversy has once again erupted in the Uttarakhand Forest Department over the top post. For the first time in the state, Ranjan Kumar Mishra has been appointed Chief Conservator of Forests (Half), bypassing seniority. The most senior IFS officer, BP Gupta, has approached the High Court against this.
The Nainital High Court has challenged the government’s decision to appoint Ranjan Kumar Mishra as Chief Conservator of Forests (Half), bypassing seniority. Ranjan Kumar was given this responsibility following a recent government-level DPC, even though BP Gupta, a 1992-batch IFS officer, is serving in the department as his senior.
The government has appointed a junior officer, a 1993-batch officer, as Chief Conservator of Forests (Half), who is scheduled to assume the position on December 1st. In light of this, BP Gupta has approached the High Court against the government, calling the seniority-set aside as wrong. Notably, he also holds the responsibility of Chief Conservator of Forests Administration, which falls under the HQ in the department. Consequently, he will have to work under a junior officer. However, during the Civil Service Board meeting, there was discussion about removing him from this position and giving him the responsibility of Biodiversity, a separate department. An order has been issued for this.
This is the first time in the state that the government has not appointed an officer to head the Forest Department based on seniority. However, Rajiv Bhartari was also removed from the HQ position as Chief Conservator of Forests, and Vinod Kumar, his junior, was given the responsibility. The government took this decision only after Bhartari served as HQ for some time. Thus, this is the first instance in the state where the government has disregarded seniority for the highest position in the Forest Department.
However, this is not the first time that the Forest Department has been embroiled in a controversy over this position. Previously, Rajiv Bhartari had also moved the High Court after being removed from the HQ position. The court then ordered his reinstatement.
Currently, BP Gupta has filed a petition in the High Court through his lawyer Abhijay Negi, which is being closely watched. During this period, the High Court may inquire about the reasons for bypassing seniority during the government-level DPC. Its minutes may also be requested. However, there is a possibility that the High Court may advise BP Gupta to approach the CAT regarding the matter.
Pankaj Kumar had previously approached the High Court regarding a transfer within the Forest Department. The High Court had then stayed the government’s transfer order. Now, the department is once again in the news regarding this issue.
