Punjab Minister for Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Mian Yawar Zaman has said that government is determined to modernise Forest Department and effective measures are being taken to turn it into a self-sufficient body. 'In future while preparing working manual regarding tree plantation, cost of project and expected revenue generation after its completion should be a part of the project,' said the Minister while talking to media persons in his office here on Tuesday.

The Minister said that a comprehensive strategy has been evolved to decide inquiries pending since long and corrupt officers will be taken to their logical end. He expressed his determination to make the department corruption-free. He said that he has learnt that claim of planting about 24 million saplings every year under Monsoon and Spring Tree Plantation campaigns by the department is not true and to check the authenticity of this claim he would tour whole of the province.

Mian Yawar Zaman said that saplings being planted under tree plantation campaigns would also be checked through Geographic Information System and if any malpractice or irregularity is found in this connection, stern action would be taken against those responsible.

He said that a policy was being devised about those officers who belong to lower ranks but were working on higher posts. Such officers facing inquiries but working on higher posts would also be brought back to their own posts. He said that promotion of corrupt officers and officials would also be stopped and only those officers who have good repute would be promoted. The Minister said that there is no room in the department for those employees as have been proven guilty.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017