Pool built at DFO’s residence in drought-hit C’garh triggers row

Amid severe water crisis in most parts of Chhattisgarh, where 117 tehsils have been declared drought-hit, a divisional forest officer (DFO) in Sukma district of Bastar region has landed into a controversy, after a swimming pool was constructed at his official residence.

The forest department has issued a show-cause notice to the DFO, Rajesh Kumar Chandel, seeking his reply within a week. “A show-cause notice has been issued to Chandel, seeking his explanation in connection with the construction of the swimming pool,” said RP Mandal, Principal Secretary, forest department.

The officer has been asked to reply on three-four points, including the source of fund for the construction of the pool, on whose land it has been constructed, was there any permission sought for it, its utilisation, he said.

Mandal said if the DFO fails to give a satisfactory response within a week, stringent action would be taken against him. After the issue came to light, state’s Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda said: “The DFO should have dug a pond in the forest, rather than build a private pool. He has gone there to work not for luxury.”  The minister had directed the principal secretary (forest) to examine the matter.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has sought Chandel’s dismissal. “At a time when the entire state is facing water crisis, the DFO has constructed swimming pool at his residence, without taking any permission,” party’s state spokesperson Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said.