Ahmedabad: In a major reshuffle in Gujarat’s forest department, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force Anirudh Singh was removed from the top post on Monday night, days after the transfer of 365 Range Forest Officers (RFOs) triggered controversy.

Singh has been appointed Managing Director of the Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation Ltd in Vadodara, replacing Anshuman Sharma. While, PCCF (Wildlife) Jaipal Singh has been given additional charge as Head of Forest Force.

The state government issued transfer orders affecting six officers, sparking discussions at Aaranya Bhavan in Gandhinagar. Officials said this is likely the first such move in nearly three decades.

It is learnt that the reshuffle is linked to the March 31 transfer of 365 RFOs, who were asked to join new postings from April 1. Complaints of irregularities were reportedly sent to the Chief Minister’s Office.

Among other changes, Sadiq Mujawar was moved as DCF (Publicity and Liaisoning), Gandhinagar. Sandip Kumar was posted as CCF (Working Plan), while Anshuman Sharma was appointed CCF (Development and Management), Gandhinagar. Nisha Raj was given additional charge of CCF, Vadodara Circle.

The reshuffle also included transfers of deputy secretaries Asav Gandhi and Himanshu Gohil from the Gandhinagar Secretariat.

As per the reports, no major RFO transfers were carried out in the past seven years due to irregularity concerns. A new policy mandates transfers after three years to postings outside home districts.

However, officials alleged the recent transfers violated these norms, with some officers posted within their home districts. Complaints from Saurashtra and central Gujarat led to discontent, with some officers approaching the Chief Minister’s Office. DeshGujarat