BARGARH: The Forest department in Bargarh district is in a disarray after 72 personnel went on mass leave from Monday demanding immediate transfer of divisional forest officer (DFO) Saroj Kumar Panda.
Accusing the DFO of subjecting the department staff to mental, physical and financial harassment, 72 of the total 92 personnel under the Bargarh forest division have proceeded on an indefinite leave.
The agitating staff including forest guards and foresters claimed that Panda used abusive language during official meetings, publicly humiliated employees and threatened them with transfers. They further alleged that funds for assigned works are not released on time, and the DFO often intimidates staff by citing his alleged proximity to ministers and MLAs.
They also levelled corruption allegations against the DFO, with a forester claiming that Panda demanded 50 per cent commission for departmental work. When the forester refused, he was reportedly transferred just before his son’s Class X examination in February.
Notably, 62 forest staff had staged a protest against the DFO earlier on February 7. However, they called off the agitation following assurance by the then regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) of Sambalpur T Ashok Kumar, who told them that the matter would be resolved and the DFO transferred within a month. However, with no action taken so far, the Bargarh unit of Odisha Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association has resumed its agitation, warning that the mass leave will continue indefinitely until their demand is met.
One of the protesting forester told TNIE that despite informing higher authorities, including the Forest minister, no action has been taken against the DFO. “After the RCCF’s assurance, the DFO transferred three foresters and a few forest guards within a week. We waited patiently, but his behaviour only worsened. We remain firm in our demand for his transfer,” he said.
Meanwhile, DFO Panda could not be reached for his comment despite repeated attempts.