According to sources at the ministry and the Department of Forests (DoF), immediately after assuming the post of minister, Musalman instructed Annapurna Das, director general of DoF, to auction 200 tons of red sandalwood and award the bids to two businessmen close to himself. [break]
More than 200 tons of red sandalwood has been piled up for a long time.
DG Das flatly refused to auction the sandalwood as directed by the minister, citing regulations and procedures and the need to go through a legal process and proper channels.
Das went to Secretary Bhattarai and discussed the minister´s pressure over the red sandalwood.
"Minister Musalman invited both the secretary and director general to his chamber and asked them to auction the red sandalwood, setting out a condition," said the source, adding, "Both government officials declined to act on the minister´s instructions." Musalman has asked the secretary and the DG to award the auction bids to two brokers favored by him.
Following that, the minister pressed Secretary Bhattarai to transfer Das from the DoF. The secretary resisted the pressure for one and half months. He also briefed Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai regarding the minister´s tremendous pressure over the transfer issue.
"Despite the secretary´s strong objections and the prime minister´s suggestion, the minister finally transferred Das from the DoF and appointed Bajra Kishor Yadav as DG in his place," the source said and added, "Even after the change of director general, the minister is unable to auction the red sandalwood as the secretary and other government officials did not cooperate at all."
Minister Musalman, however, has been continuously pressing ministry officials to auction the red sandalwood.
After the red sandalwood affair, the minister began pressing the secretary and other officials over another issue-- renewal of licenses for seven resin collection companies at the earliest.
The Forest Ministry had formulated regulations setting out the procedures for such license renewal. As per the new regulations, the government has to go for open bidding.
"Minister Musalman suddenly invited the secretary and some other senior ministry officials to his chamber and asked them to renew the licenses of resin companies located in the far western region," divulged the sources, adding, "Secretary Bhattarai and other officials flatly refused to follow the minister´s instruction, citing regulations. He, however, is pressing them to follow his instructions."
- DoF DG Das transferred for not heeding minister´s order on red sandalwood issue
- Musalman pressing secretary, officials to take illegal decisions
- Minister wants to award red sandalwood auction bids to two businessmen close to himself
- Minister presses officials to renew licenses for resin collection without delay
- 25 DFOs transferred on deputation as of Thursday
- PM asks forest secretary to continue in job
According to the sources, Musalman raised another issue--transfer of DFOs, following his failure over the two aforesaid issues.
"The minister prepared a list of DFOs and districts for transfers," said the source, adding, "The secretary and other officials again refused to act, citing the Civil Service Act."
Despite objections from the secretary and other officials, the minister has, as of Thursday, transferred 25 DFOs on deputation to various districts notorious for timber smuggling.
"The minister has been receiving Rs 800,000 to 1 million from DFO´s who have either already been transferred or are in the process of getting transferred," the source added.
PM asks secretary to continue in job
Meanwhile, sources close to Prime Minister Bhattarai informed Republica that he met Forest Secretary Keshav Bhattarai on Thursday morning and asked about matters exposed by Republica.
"What is happening at your ministry? What is the real problem you are facing?" a source quoted the PM as asking Secretary Bhattarai during the meeting. The PM also asked the secretary to continue in his job at the ministry without any fear.
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