AGARTALA, July 23 (TIWN): Tripura CPI-M Govt’s massive corruptions once again exposed by the mass looting of Rs 10.52 crores of Forest Dept funds under the excuse of ‘Jatrofa’ cultivation. Lokayukta Justice P.K.Sarkar issued an order on July 18,2016 against 3 culprits PCCF Sanatan Talukdar, CCF Debashis Chakraborty, Accounts Officer Amalendu Debbarma for embezzlement of multi-crore Forest Dept funds. Justice P.K.Sarkar ordered full-fledged investigation against 3 corrupt officials according to the provision of Section 7 of the Tripura Lokayukta Act, 2008. Accordingly, Tripura Chief Secretary expected to issue order for full investigation and suspension of these 3 officials. Court also mentioned the misuse of central funds to the tune of Rs 10.52 crores was master-minded by the PCCF Sanatan Talukdar, who was hand-picked for PCCF Post by former Forest Minister and present MP Jitendra Chaudhury. Former Forest Minister was fully accountable to deny PCCF post to deserving & honest IFS official Atul Gupta, so the coveted post was assigned to a tainted Sanatan Talukdar.

Tripura has a climate favourable for rubber and jatropha cultivation, the state had made its presence felt in the both the agro-based products, but it is seen that though the central government has sanctioned a total of 7.52 crore but there is no glimpse of any Jatropha cultivation in the state. Energy security, emissions control and environmental concerns are some of the issues that drive India to search for bio-fuels in general and bio-diesel in particular as an alternative source of energy.

The inception of National Biofuel Mission in 2003 has resulted in expansion of jatropha plantations in different states of the country. In North-East India, jatropha plantation was started in 2007, mostly at small sector level with direct and indirect initiatives of the government and the private sector. However, adoption and expansion of jatropha plantation in the rural areas largely depend on profitability from such plantations at small level.

The profitability of jatropha plantation is in four states of North-East India, which includes Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Tripura. It is to be mentioned here that with the aim to develop the Jatropha cultivation in the state the central government has sanctioned an amount of Rs 7.52crore but till date there is no report of any Jatropha cultivation in the state and no one knows where such a huge amount of money has disappeared.

Now question arise where has the rest of the money gone and till date there has been no investigation regarding the huge amount of money sanctioned by the central government. Earlier, the CAG demanded for the reports of Jatropha cultivation, from the state forest dept. 

However, when the CAG demanded for the reports from the state forest department on the current situation of Jatropha cultivation in the state, the state forest department has prepared a report and claimed that a total of 5.27 crore is spent for Jatropha cultivation in 4,137.02 hector of land.

On the one hand the state forest department has claimed that the state government has spent has spent a total of 5.27 crore is spent for Jatropha cultivation in 4,137.02 hector of land but allegedly nowhere in the premises of the state there is any glimpse of Jatropha cultivation.

It is to be mentioned here that Biofuel development centres mainly on the cultivation and processing of Jatropha plant seeds which are very rich in oil (40%). Jatropha oil can be used as biodiesel for the diesel fuel requirements of remote rural and forest communities; jatropha oil can be used directly after extraction (i.e. without refining) in diesel generators and engines.

This case is a bold initiative by Rana Pratap Nath Bhamik against 3 culprits for stealing over Rs 10.52 crores.