The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to abolish the post of chief conservator of forests (CCF) due to its poor financial condition. Brijesh Kumar, who was the CCF of BBMP, was relieved from his post last week. The BBMP, in a meeting on October 11, decided to abolish the post of CCF as it costs the city civic agency a whopping Rs 13 lakh per year to pay the salary and perks to the CCF.
The resolution has been sent to state government for its approval.
Palike’s Standing Committee for Establishments and Administrative Reforms decided to abolish the CCF’s post in August. It said the Palike could not afford to pay the IFS officer such a high salary. Speaking to Express, Brijesh Kumar, who assumed the post on May 17 this year, said he was told that the Palike found his post ‘too expensive’.
“Having me in the department would mean that the BBMP has to pay me a salary of Rs 3-4 lakh more than other officers. So, they ordered me to hand over charges and leave,” Kumar said.
His salary was Rs 13 lakh per annum. Kumar added that the direction to hand over the charge was verbal and the government’s decision is expected in a week. According to Rajneesh Goel, commissioner, the BBMP is scrapping the post of CCF which was created a year ago. “The committee wanted only a conservator, not a chief conservator. We decided to scrap the post after seeking thorough legal advice,” Goel said.
He said Palike has written to the government asking for the deployment of a conservator of forests (CF). “Hardly any work has been done in these past few months. There is a huge backlog of activities that the forest department has to clear,” Goel claimed.
The post of CCF is vacant. It will have the deputy conservator of forests taking charge and the lake department will be in the purview of the chief engineer till a CF is appointed.