Srinagar, Sep 21 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Forest department has turned into a winter of despair and instead of encouraging carrier progression of eligible state service officers for induction into IFS, officers at higher level are trying to make ways for back door adjustments of some ineligible blue eyed officers from Wildlife Protection department, sources said on Thursday.
Sources aware of development said the Forest department has already dearth of forest officers as out of total strength of 106 IFS officers only 51 officers are in place including officers on deputation to Central Government.
They said that since 2013, there has been no induction in IFS from state service and the Forest Ministry has already determined 29 vacancies upto 2019 for induction from eligible state service officers into IFS.
“Despite availability of eligible officers from State Service, the department has been delaying the process on one pretext or other to adjust some blue eyed ineligible officers from Wild life protection department. The career of trained IFS eligible officers is put to doll drums just to promote nepotism which is illegal & against the rules,” they said.
Sources said that now, against the rules a top official recently called a meeting of senior officers of department to review the discussion on state service only to give fresh twist to the definition of “State Forest Service“ in order to adjust ineligible officers from Wildlife Protection Department.
“As on date, 46 officers of Forest Gazetted Service are eligible and entitled to be considered for their induction into IFS and there are no basis to accommodate the ineligible officers from Wildlife Protection department.”
They said that any such attempt is contrary to law and will affect the career progression of eligible officers from Forest Gazetted Service. (KNS)