SC questions Uttarakhand over CAMPA funds meant for green cover, used to buy iPhones
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought an explanation from the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary over the alleged misuse of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds, which are meant for increasing green cover. The funds were reportedly spent on purchasing iPhones, laptops, fridges, coolers, renovating buildings, and covering legal expenses.
A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih took note of a news report presented by amicus curiae K. Parmeswar on March 5. The report, based on findings by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), examined the use of CAMPA funds between 2019 and 2022.
“The CAMPA fund is to be utilised for increasing the green cover. Utilisation of the same for non-admissible activities and not depositing the interest as per the Act with the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund (SCAF) is a matter of serious concern,” the bench stated. The court directed the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit addressing these concerns before the next hearing.
The CAG report also revealed that interest amounting to ₹275.34 crore from 2019-20 to 2021-22 had not been deposited despite multiple requests from CAMPA authorities. The state government, as per PTI, acknowledged the issue and claimed to have deposited ₹150 crore in July 2023, but a significant portion remains unaccounted for.
Justice Gavai cautioned that if the Chief Secretary fails to provide a satisfactory response by March 19, they will be summoned the following day. The remarks came during the hearing of TN Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India, a public interest litigation concerning forest conservation.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
