Pitiable condition of Chinar trees: Furnish explanation within 3 days or face action: Div Com to I&FC officials

Srinagar, Oct 03: Taking a strong note over the news report carried out over the pitiable condition of Chinar trees, located in Bijbehera area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the divisional administration on Wednesday directed the officials of Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) to furnish explanation within three days or face action.
According to an order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan under number Div Com/Dev/2018, the two officials including Executive Engineer I&FC department Anantnag and Assistant Executive Engineer I&FC Bijbehara Anantnag to furnish report within three days.
The Divisional Commissioner in an order said that “whereas Irrigation and Flood Control department has started beautification programme on the embankments of river Jhelum at Bijbehara opposite Dara Shaku Park. It has been brought to the notice that during the process of execution of the work due care has not been taken of the three Chinar trees, as a result of which, owing to the decomposition of soil and damage to the roots, one of the Chinar tree has become dead and other two Chinars are in the process of decay.”
“The locals of the area have registered a strong protest over the callous attitude of the concern executive engineer and Assistant Executive Engineer who while executing the work have not taken care of the Chinar trees and have not initiated necessary action for the preservation,’ he added.
“Now, before any action is initiated against you in view of above, you will furnish explanation in the matter within three day through Deputy Commissioner , Anantnag, falling which it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in your defense and necessary action under rules will follow,” he directed.
Earlier, KNS in a video report highlighted the pathetic condition of the Chinar trees in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district, caused due to the alleged negligence of authorities in the I&FC department
The locals also raised eyebrows over the alleged negligence of the authorities, accusing them of turning their eye blind towards the protection of Chinars.