Gandhinagar, 21 February 2014

A report of Gujarat Lokayukta’s investigation on illegal tree cutting in Surat forest circle was tabled today in the Gujarat assembly.

According to the probe report, then forest minister and former Chief Minister Amarsinh Chaudhary had encouraged illegal tree cutting in rich forest of Surat forest circle due to political reasons, as assembly elections were closer during two years period of 1983-1985. Chaudhary had stopped officials to perform their duty when officers took actions to stop illegal cutting. Chaudhary had planned ‘Cut one tree and give one vote’ plot.

Gujarat state Lokayukta had probed the entire issue and filed report which was today tabled in assembly house.

As per the Lokayukta probe report late Amarsinh Chaudhary is guilty under Indian Penal Code section 186, 189, 120-B and Anti Corruption Act section 13(1)(d)(ii).

-During two-year period of year 1983-85, seven divisions under Surat forest circle witnessed massive illegal cutting of trees and theft of timber.

-As 1985 assembly elections were closer, then Forest Minister Amarsinh Chaudhary had given instructions to forest department official. Honest officers were pressurized and prevented to take actions.

-Some honest officers had taken action, but government failed to take action. A writ petition was filed in the Gujarat High Court in connection with this. High Court had asked government to appoint a probe commission. However in year 1994 then government had refused to form commission.

-There was change of regime in year 1995 following which probe commission was formed in 1996. The commission couldn’t complete probe in six months period. By order of Gujarat Governor, the probe was handed over to Lokayukta.

-Late Amarsinh Chaudhary had filed petition in High Court to stop Lokayukta probe. In 1999 the High Court gave green signal to continue the probe.

-Lokayukta started probe and gave enough opportunity to accused officers to share their side of the story. Statements of Forest department officials were taken in this regard. In 23th June 2013 probe report, Lokayukta concluded following points:

-Amarsinh Chaudhary was Forest minister during 1980-85 period, and to get political benefit in 1985 assembly elections he had encouraged illegal tree cutting.
-He had given directions to officers not to do patrolling to stop tree cutting. This resulted into large scale tree cutting.
-He had scolded those senior officers who investigated the issue and sent reports. Good officers were stoped doing their duty.
-Instead of taking action on the basis of government appointed probe officer’s probe report, files were kept aside and illegal activities were provided cover.
-As per the details shared in assembly floor in 1987, 2,13,309 trees were cut in two years, out of which only in Vyara division, 1,14,826 trees were cut. Forest department had seized 3 crore square meter timer worth Rs. 14 crore at that time.
-He was involved in large scale theft of forest timber in that period.

Reacting to this report, Gujarat BJP president RC Faldu and spokesperson IK Jadeja said this report once again proves that Congress is corrupt for last many years. Congress party had played politics on the line of ‘cut a tree and vote for us’. Timber theft worth Rs. 14 crore had happened just in one division at that time. Corrupt Gujarat Congress must apologize after this report and son of late Amarsinh Chaudhary who is minister of state in centre shoud take responsibility and resign from ministry. People of Gujarat will punish corrupt Congress in upcoming elections.