Thiruvananthapuram, First Published Nov 27, 2021, 9:41 AM IST
Delhi / Thiruvananthapuram: The Center has sought an explanation from the state government on the suspension of Chief Wildlife Warden Bennichan Thomas. The Union Ministry of Forests has stated that since Benichen Thomas is an IFS officer, he needs central approval to take action. Benichan Thomas has been suspended for giving permission to cut down trees under the Mullapperiyar Baby Dam in Mullaperiyar. Inspector General of Forests AK Mohanty wrote to the Kerala Chief Secretary asking him to explain the action through the media and to explain exactly why the suspension was imposed. The Center has issued the letter on the 24th.
The Union Ministry has asked for documents related to the suspension. The rule is that if action is taken, the center must be notified within 48 hours. The Center also demanded immediate notice of the cause of action. Central intervention comes as the IFS Association is pushing for Benichen’s suspension to be lifted. Forest Chief PK Keshavan had met the Chief Minister to demand withdrawal of the action. The IFS Association also met Forest Minister AK Shashindra with the same demand.
Bennichan Thomas will be suspended by the state government on November 11. Benichen was suspended for violating the All India Service Rules and acting against the government’s declared position. With Benichen suspended, the cabinet also froze the controversial room order.
The government froze the tree room order, blaming officials, amid a deep mystery. Permission to cut down 15 trees to strengthen the Baby Dam will ignite Kerala’s demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar. The amendment comes amid serious allegations and massive protests that it has protected the interests of Tamil Nadu by allaying the concerns of the people. The Chief Minister himself directed the Forest Minister to freeze the order.
While Bennichan Thomas, PCCF and Chief Wildlife Warden, gave the go-ahead for the woodcut, the crucial question is how the officer alone can make a decision on the burning issue. The order said the decision was based on a meeting convened by Water Resources Additional Chief Secretary TK Jose on November 1. A copy of the order has also been handed over to TK Jose. The second question is why Jose, who is also the Kerala representative in the Mullaperiyar High Authority, did not inform the Chief Minister and the departmental ministers about this. The third question is why the Chief Minister of Kerala and the Minister of Forests and Water Resources did not know about it even though the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu knew about it.
The biggest mystery is how things got to the point where the Kerala Chief Minister came to know only after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote a letter thanking Pinarayi Vijayan. The government has no explanation for the move, which excludes secretaries and restricts it to Benichan.
Last Updated Nov 27, 2021, 10:36 AM IST
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