Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Minister Mohammed Akbar on Friday ordered the suspension of a Forest Ranger and a Forest Beat In-charge for dereliction of duty.
Under the Katghora Forest Division, Forest Range Officer Ujjain Singh Painkra and Forest Beat In-charge Arun Kumar Rajput were suspended for neglecting illegal mining and transportation of coal, an official communication said.
Based on inputs, the Forest Department officials seized 620 gunny bags of illegally mined coal in Room No. P. 198 of Bijadad in the Katghora Forest Division of Korba district.
Officials said that despite knowledge of the illegal mining in the forest after being tipped off by informers, both officials did not initiate any action.
They were suspended under the Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1966.