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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Anna University student suicide case: Five held
Tiruchirappalli (PTI): Five people have been arrested in connection with the death of the Anna University student, who jumped in front of a speeding train in Pudukottai district, police said on Tuesday.
The deceased, a third-year student from Virudhunagar district, was found dead on the railway track near Mandaiyur on the night of September 20 by the railway police, who later recovered a suicide note from his hostel room.
The student had, in the letter, alleged sexual assault, blackmail, and extortion by five men.
Following this, the police arrested the five suspects. A case has been registered, and further investigation is on.
