The Haryana government has constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations that Forest Department employees were promoted without completing mandatory training or meeting prescribed eligibility requirements. The inquiry will also examine the alleged role of senior officials in approving the disputed promotions.
Complaint Flags Missing Training Records
The inquiry follows a complaint submitted to the Forest Minister’s office by retired Indian Forest Service officer G. Raman. He alleged that several Deputy Range Officers were promoted as Range Officers and later inducted into the Haryana Forest Service without complying with departmental rules.
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The complaint names Pawan Kumar and Anil Kumar, alleging that records maintained by the department’s training wing do not show that they completed the mandatory courses required for promotion.
Tarun Gagat, Devendra Rana and Sanjeev Kumar have also been named in the complaint. Raman alleged that they received promotional benefits despite not fulfilling all the prescribed eligibility conditions.
These claims remain unproven and will be examined by the inquiry committee.
Senior Officials’ Role Under Scrutiny
The complaint raises questions about the roles of former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Vineet Kumar Garg, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ghanshyam Shukla and IFS officer Navdeep Singh.
It alleges that information concerning the promotion process was concealed and departmental records may have been manipulated to facilitate the appointments. The allegations have not been established and are subject to official verification.
The complainant has also alleged that some individuals named in the matter are attempting to influence the inquiry committee. There has been no official confirmation of this claim.
Raman has urged the government to revert officers found to have been promoted in violation of departmental rules and initiate departmental and legal proceedings against those held responsible.
Three-Member Panel Given 15 Days
The inquiry committee comprises IFS officers Atul Sirsikar, R. Anand and Sundar Lal. It has been directed to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and submit its report to the department headquarters within 15 days.
The panel is expected to examine promotion files, training records, service books and departmental orders connected with the disputed appointments. It may also record statements from the officials and employees named in the complaint.
The inquiry could extend beyond individual promotion orders to examine the decision-making process and accountability within the department. Its findings will determine whether the allegations arose from isolated procedural lapses or indicate broader irregularities in the promotion system.
