Govt sits over pleas to fill vacant posts in forest dept

The forest department has been repeatedly asking the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board to expedite the process of recruitment of 36 forest guards to fill vacant posts.

The forest department has been repeatedly asking the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board to expedite the process of recruitment of 36 forest guards to fill vacant posts.

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In the three letters (accessed through RTI), written between September last year and April this year, the deputy conservator of forests (headquarters) has requested the selection board secretary to speed up the matter. Each time, he has written: “…This department is facing severe shortage of frontline staff and is struggling to protect and augment greenery in the Capital.”

HT on Monday had published a report highlighting how the forest department is reeling under severe staff and resource crunch.

Now the People for Animals (PFA), one of the largest animal welfare organisations, has also moved the national green tribunal over the matter.

In a representation made to the tribunal, the PFA has said, “The forest department is severely understaffed.

The government has not filled up even the sanctioned strength.”

The PFA said, “In view of public interest, it is necessary that the government directs officials concerned to fill the vacant posts and provide the forest department with necessary equipment and resources.”

The forest department has altogether three divisions in the capital.