Dehradun : There was a time when nothing seemed to be amazing as far as reports concerning corruption emanating from Bihar were concerned. The same can be said about Uttarakhand where it appears that only the sky appears to be the limit as far as honky dory doings by the babudom of this small mountain state is concerned.
The latest that is doing the reports is that the Rajai National Park authorities bought ‘ration’ for their tame elephants from a shop that sells agriculture equipment and that too at prices far abive at what the same things are available in the ration shops in the city. Not only were the prices almost double that of the market rates, but no tenders were floated either for the purchase (obviously).
The organization People for Animals, has in a letter addressed to the Chief Wildlife Warden asked, what was the tearing hurry because of which the Park authorities had to buy the ration for the tame elephants, from an agriculture equipment shop, and that too without floating tenders. However, the authorities claim that there is nothing hanky-panky in the whole matter.
It may be mentioned here that the Rajaji National Park authorities have four tam elephants that are used for taking visitors to the Par area around to show the wildlife. Though the elephants get some of their fodder from the forest itself, but some ration is also bought to feed the pachyderms to keep them in the best of health.
Ironically, as per the bills attached as proof of the purchase the shop sells agriculture equipment and does not sell ration. During the last one year the authorities claimed that they had made purchases of ration worth more than Rs six lakhs from the shop. Surprisingly VAT amount was also included in the bills, whereas ration shops in the state are exempted from it.
A journalist with over 40 years of experience, Jagdish Bhatt was Editor, Hill Post (Uttarakhand).
Jagdish had worked with India’s leading English dailies, which include Times of India, Indian Express, Pioneer and several other reputed publications. A highly acclaimed journalist, he was a recipient of many awards
Jagdish Bhatt, aged 72, breathed his last on 28th August 2021 at his Dehradun residence.
