Nagpur: The state government has sought explanation from principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) social forestry, Anurag Choudhary, after noticing that he had violated the process of disbursing government grants.The government found that Choudhary had directly distributed funds to divisional forest officers (DFOs) in social forestry department (SFD), bypassing chief conservators of forest (CCFs) and conservators (CFs), SFD.The government on November 16, 2017, had issued a GR by which the funds/grants should be allotted to DFOs of SFD through CCFs (territorial) and CFs SFD and not directly in any case.The GR also mentioned that in case of unavailability of CCFs at headquarters, the matter may be decided on phone or through e-mail, avoiding direct transfer.The government found Choudhary had been directly allotting grants to DFOs through budget distribution system (BDS). The copy of fund allotment letters was not given to CCFs and CFs. “Therefore, in such a situation, it was difficult to control and check the quality of field work, especially plantations and nurseries as well as purchases in SFD by CCFs and CFs concerned,” said senior forest officials.The government on September 7, 2018, asked explanation from Choudhary and for details of funds directly distributed to DFOs during 2017-18 and 2018-19 under different schemes.Choudhary denied any wrongdoing. “I used to distribute grants to CFs who used to give it to DFOs. I will have to keep CCFs in loop. The decision must have been taken after complaints,” he said.Now, government has issued orders that PCCF (head of forest force) will distribute grants to PCCF (social forestry) who will later distribute it to CCFs, and they will allocate money to CFs and DFOs.

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