Kovind was on a three-day visit to Assam from February 25-27, 2022, along with his wife and daughter. (File photo: PTI)
The forest minister said Yadav has been relieved of his “additional charge” of chief wildlife warden with immediate effect.
The Assam government on Sunday said it has directed an additional chief secretary to probe the alleged use of funds under tiger conservation and other projects for the visit of former President Ram Nath Kovind and his family to Kaziranga National Park.
Speaking to PTI, Environment and Forests Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that following a response from a social worker under the Right to Information Act, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, has been directed to investigate the allegation.
“We have asked Prasad to probe the entire matter. He is currently probing whether funds allocated for tiger projects and other conservation efforts were diverted and misused during the former president’s visit to Kaziranga National Park.
Patowary, however, declined to divulge further details and said more details would be shared after Prasad gives his opinion.
Meanwhile, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) MK Yadav, who is also the Chief of Forest Force (HOFF) Assam, was relieved of his additional charge of Chief Wildlife Warden with immediate effect.
The forest minister said Yadav has been relieved of his “additional charge” of chief wildlife warden with immediate effect.
We have given the charge of Chief Wildlife Warden to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sandeep Kumar. Yadav will remain PCCF and HOFF.”
According to an RTI reply by animal rights activist Rohit Chowdhary in November 2022, the field director of Kaziranga National Park had informed that a total of Rs 1,64,16,000 from funds earmarked for the protection of wildlife in the park had been spent during a two-night stay were spent. About the then President and his entourage.
The Assam government had utilized Rs 1.13 crore from the Tiger Conservation Fund of Kaziranga National Park, while an additional Rs 51.98 lakh was allocated from another wildlife fund of the KNP by Yadav, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and the then Chief Wildlife Warden. Red carpet for guest dignitaries.
Kovind, accompanied by his wife and daughter, was on a three-day visit to Assam from February 25-27, 2022. He stayed the last two nights of the yatra at Kaziranga National Park (KNP) with his family and participated in it. hosting programs.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
