Conservator seeks retirement sooner

Balwan submitted an application on this to the Chief Secretary of the Haryana government on Wednesday. He feels the Forest department has gone unrepresented in the common affidavit the state filed before the apex court on Tuesday,in response to a Central Empowered Committee’s recommendation that illegal constructions in the Aravalli zones be demolished. It is understood the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF),Haryana,approved his reply,but the state’s counsel refused to vet it,and later on the department were directed not to file the reply in court as “the decision was taken in the highest level”.

Balwan’s retirement application reads: “In bureaucratic system,obedience to power and self goals have pushed self consciousness and uprightness into darkness… Power holder linkpins with high immorality and self-serving goals have hijacked the decision making process …” The letter also says: “Corrupt officers will delay settlement of dues as my commitment to save Aravalli Hills has reduced their bribe money supply…”

When asked why the common affidavit did not have the reply of the Forest department,chief Secretary Dharam Vir said: “This affidavit mentions affected parties namely the Mining department,the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad,Town and Country Planning and HUDA. There are separate public interest litigations where the Forest department is a party.”

Sources close to the state’s Forest Minister Kiran Chaudhary alleged the minister had also been kept out of the loop when Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda decided on this affidavit. “In a meeting chaired by Hooda,all senior forest officials were asked to attend but not Chaudhary,” they said.

PCCF S K Dhar said: “We were told in this meeting that the Forest department’s reply would be included,but I cannot comment on the government’s decision. Our case now remains unrepresented,but I have faith in the Central Empowered Committee’s recommendations as it has supported the Aravallis.” Dhar also said Balwan was “fighting for the Aravallis within the provisions of law”. It was not a “personal issue” with him.