IMPHAL, July 1: The State government will not spare Indian Forest Officer (Manipur-Tripura cadre) SK Srivastava who has resurfaced again after missing for over six years, if he is found guilty of any charge, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said during the ongoing session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
The leader of the House was responding to a calling attention motion moved by Oinam MLA Dr I Ibohalbi.
Further clarifying on the controversy surrounding the promotion of the IFS officer SK Srivastava to the rank of additional principal-chief conservator of forest (AP-CCF) from being a DFO, Ibobi said that the State government has not accepted the joining report as AP-CCF furnished by Srivastava.
The State government is taking the matter very seriously and a thorough investigation is underway against the IFS officer, said Ibobi while assuring the House that the government will not spare the officer if found guilty.
However, the Chief Minister observed that it would not be sensible to form a House Committee and conduct an enquiry at this stage overlooking the department and the Ministry concerned.
Moving his motion, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi said that SK Srivastava`™s act openly mocked the administrative set up of the nation and Manipur in particular.
Stating that Srivastava had completely defied the authority and the RR, Ibohalbi questioned whether his service was any longer required in the State?
The MLA drew the attention of the House stating that a House committee should be formed to conduct a probe against the IFS officer opining that his action could demoralise the entire administrative set up.
SK Srivasta a 1987 Manipur-Tripura cadre, who was then a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) went missing from the State in 2008 finally resurfacing on September 8, 2014 with a joining report furnished to the State government stating his designation as AP-CCF.
It was reported that the officer had reportedly gone on deputation to the RD Ministry in 1996 and went on to extend the deputation for several years.
With him failing to return to the state the DP declared him `unauthorised absentee` from January 20 2008 to June 5, 2012 and also reportedly sent summons for furnishing detail reports on his immovable assets.
However, he made several attempts to justifying himself including the joining report as APCCF on September 8, 2014 which allegedly on May 14 this year was granted by the Chief Secretary of Manipur after a mild warning.
Incomplete report. This is a clear indication of the incompetence of the state govt. and mockery of the legislature and state affairs. Such utter disdain of the administration shouldn’t gi unpunished.