GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal issued a stern directive to the forest department to immediately stop the illegal trade of sand, stone chips and wood. He also directed the forest department to maintain records on how these materials are being sent to different parts to keep an account of these resources being used. If there is any mismatch of records, strict action will be taken against the erring officials.
These directions came in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sonowal at Dibrugarh on Friday where he asked forest department, civil and police administration of Dibrugarh district to maintain transparency in view of allegations of illegal supply of sand, stone chips and wood.
Sonowal also asked forest department to supply the required amount of sand, stone chips to PWD Department to ensure uninterrupted flow of construction work. Sonowal also asked PWD Department to submit the exact requirement of sand, stone chips etc., to the Deputy Commissioner and as the latter would issue order to the forest department to supply materials to PWD Department.
To stop illegal trade of forest resources, Chief Minister Sonowal asked the police administration to be on its toes and work in sync with the forest department. Sonowal also asked the forest department to take local people into confidence and create a shield for the protection of forest resources in the state.
With the advent of tourist season in Assam and the inauguration of the largest Dhola-Sadiya river bridge, there has been a phenomenal increase in tourist flow in Assam and in view of this, Sonowal asked the police administration to increase its vigil to ensure safety and security to the tourists. He also asked the forest department to take care of the rehabilitation process in Laika-Dhodia on a full throttle.
The MLA of Dibrugarh, Prasanta Phukan, Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh Laya Madduri, Deputy Commissioner, Tinsukia Oinam Charan Singh, SP, Dibrugarh Gautam Bora, SP, Tinsukia, Mugdha Jyoti Mahanta, SP, Sadiya Prasanta Sagar Changmai, Conservator of Forest Eastern Assam Forest Divison M. Tangnung, Divisional Forest Officer, Tinsukia Wildlife Range M.K. Dhar and a host of senior officers from forest, civil and police administration were present at the meeting.
