
PATHANKOT, May 26: While the department is still grappling with the question of contempt of court in felling of quot;khairquot; trees in Dhar block, Forest Minister Master Mohan Lal wants the department to refund the security deposits to the contractors who felled trees in blatant violation of rules.
The minister has, in an official note, directed a senior officer to convene a meeting with all such contractors and close the chapter by returning their security deposits.
Officials, however, maintain that since certain irregularities of the contractors have been detected, the department should initiate proceedings for forfeiture of their security.
Jagdish Sahani, a sitting BJP MLA, alleged that a politician from Pathankot, enjoying power in the ruling coalition, was the main beneficiary of the scams. quot;It is unfortunate that we are busy amassing wealth at the cost of green cover.quot;
Sukrit Sharda, general secretary of the youth wing of the BJP, said that two contractors enjoyed the patronage of a powerful politician of the ruling coalition.