Today when I called the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) office I was informed that there is no PCCF right now and the post is lying vacant. On asking whether any new person is appointed as PCCF the person on phone who claimed himself as PA to PCCF said the post is still vacant. Mr. Rupak De is no more PCCF of state of U.P. Whether he resigned or is removed or is transferred is yet to be confirmed.
What surprises us is that Mr. Rupak De who was posted as PCCF Lucknow left the office the same day National Green Tribunal, New Delhi issued a show cause notice against him on 21st September, 2015. He was appointed as chairperson of the high level expert committee in Kanhar dam case by NGT on 7th May, 2015 which was asked to submit its report within 3 months. In another order dated 8th July, 2015 in a review application, the court asked the committee to submit its report within 45 days. Failing to comply with the court orders, the NGT took a serious note of the violation of court orders and delay of its proceedings and therefore issued a show cause notice against the PCCF asking why heavy cost should not be imposed on him.
