Alleging malpractice in selecting candidates for kendu leaf forester job in the district, a few aggrieved candidates who had participated in the selection process urged the Chief Minister to take immediate action against the district forest authorities. Sources said 40 candidates had applied for eight posts of kendu leaf forester and appeared for tests like written, interview, cycling and walking conducted by the authorities. Surprisingly, as alleged by the candidates, one failed candidate in cycling test was selected as number one candidate.
Anguished over the process of selection, the candidates not selected staged a two-day protest in front of Jharsuguda DFO office and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through the ADM Brajgopal Acharya with copies to the district Collector, Vigilance, State Forest authorities and SP for an impartial enquiry into the matter. The memorandum further states that out of eight selected candidates, six were the relatives of forest officials, while two were selected for kickbacks.
The complainants also possess an audio cassette in support of their claim of demanding money by the selectors. When contacted, Jharsuguda DFO (Kendu leaf) S Mallick refused to comment. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) AK Mohapatra came to Jharsuguda on Friday for an inquiry into alleged corruption in Forester appointment and other issues of the Kendu leaf Division. Mohapatra told mediapersons that proper inquiry would be conducted into the issue.