Karra refutes allegations of involvement in timber scam

Srinagar, Sep 5 (UNI) Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Jammu and Kashmir Finance and Planning Minister Tariq Hamid Karra today expressed dismay and anguish over media reports alleging his involvement in a timber scam.

In a statement from London, Mr Karra said the fact was that he has put his objections on record on a file disposed by him as the Finance Minister last month regarding constitution of a committee for exploring the possibility of importing timber by the State Forest Corporation (SFC).

He said the facts could be verified from the official records.

Mr Karra was in London as part of a delegation of finance ministers from various states of the country.

He said the media report seems to have been purportedly planted to malign his image as he had recently taken a tough stand regarding the discrepancies in the Jammu and Kashmir Vigilance Organisation's anti-corruption drive.

In the capacity of the Forest Minister, Mr Karra said he had also objected to the transfer of 2,500 kanals (125 hectares) of Wildlife land at Jammu to a Delhi-based corporate house for the construction of an amusement park, annoying its promoters.

By planting such ''baseless and mischievous'' allegations against him in the media, he said behind-the-scene promoters of the campaign would be only exposing themselves further before the public.

The Finance Minister said on his return to Srinagar, he would place all the facts before the public and expose the people behind the campaign as their motives were not fulfilled.

Mr Karra has also decided to file a criminal defamatory suit against the vernacular news agency that had circulated the report in its bulletin yesterday.

UNI