GUWAHATI, July 10 - Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya has asked the range officers of Guwahati to submit their action plans for curbing smuggling of stone and sand.
The range officers have been given 15 days to submit their plans, failing which they might have to face stern action.
Suklabaidya gave the direction during a review meeting with the range officers and beat officers of Guwahati, the DFO of East Kamrup, the CCF of Central Zone and the PCCF & HoFF on Tuesday evening.
The Forest Minister cited reports of loss in revenue and forest cover across Guwahati and Sonapur ranges and Kamrup division. �All illegal activities like illegal trade of sand, stone, etc., are to be banned and any involvement of any category of officers and staff in such activities will be treated under zero-tolerance policy and immediate legal action taken,� the minister�s PRO Sailendra Pandey quoted him as saying at the meeting.
The minister also directed the PCCF & Head of Forest Force to provide adequate force to take up raids at all suspected locations and set up check points to put control on all kinds of illegal activities regarding the trade of natural resources.
Suklabaidya also directed the Central Assam CCF to resolve the issues of permit required for developmental works by different departments like PWD, Water Resources etc.
