Min. Khandre recommends suspension of DCF, suspends 2 officials over recent tiger deaths in K'taka
Bengaluru, Jul 4 (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday suspended two officials for negligence and dereliction of duty in connection with the 'unnatural deaths' of five tigers in the Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills, officials said.
The minister has also recommended the suspension of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Y Chakrapani in connection with the matter, they said.
A female tigress and her four cubs were found dead in the Hugyam range of the MM Hills on June 26.
Khandre also recommended departmental inquiries into their conduct.
Following the incident, three people -- including the owner of a cow allegedly sprayed with poison and consumed by the wild cats -- were arrested.
Khandre's decision came after reviewing the preliminary report submitted by a high-level inquiry committee headed by Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) Kumar Pushkar, which was set up to probe the incident.
The minister has directed the committee to submit its final report by July 10.
"Based on clear evidence of negligence and dereliction of duty by officials in the unnatural deaths of the tigers, the Minister has recommended the suspension of DCF Y Chakrapani to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms," Khandre's office said in a statement.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Gajanana Hegde and Range Forest Officer Madesh of the respective range have been suspended as they failed to monitor the patrol staff effectively and were grossly negligent in performing their fundamental duties of forest protection, it said.
On June 30, these three officers were sent on compulsory leave until further notice.
It was also alleged that for the past three months, frontline contract staff had not been paid their wages or allowances, which hampered patrolling activities.
According to Khandre's office, although funds to pay wages were released by the end of April, payments were delayed until June.
"This failure to ensure timely payment, especially by DCF Chakrapani, is seen as a serious dereliction of duty, which disrupted patrolling activities. The Minister has recommended his suspension and a departmental inquiry," the statement added.
On June 23, contract staff staged a protest, claiming they had not received wages for three months since March.
The preliminary report indicated that demotivated staff neglected their duties, which contributed to the incident.
Citing the report, the Minister's office stated that the deaths of the approximately 11-year-old tigress and her four cubs, aged around 10 to 11 months, were primarily due to chemicals allegedly sprayed on a carcass, believed to be "an act of revenge" after a tiger killed livestock.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
