NCLP submits memorandum to J

Jammu, Jan 25 (UNI) The National Conference Legislature Party (NCLP) today sought the intervention of Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen S K Sinha (Retd) in the forest scam in which the opposition is demanding the resignations of two Cabinet rank ministers for bungling in the state forest department.

In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, the NCLP has appealed that they are pursuing the matter in both houses of the legislature, which is supported by rest of the opposition members including the fourth estate.

However, the opposition has alleged that a few months back, a forest scam involving the plunder of green gold of the state of the magnitude of crores of rupees became public, which made Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad divest the Minister of Forests, Qazi Mohd Afzal, from his portfolio.

''A senior bureaucrat of the state and Chief Secretary of the State, B R Kundal, who at that time was serving as the Financial Commissioner (Home) was asked to inquire into the malpractices and other aspects of the scam. Mr Kundal, after examining the records, presented the report to the government,'' opposition members told the Governor in a letter.

Meanwhile, the National Conference has alleged that Forest Minister Mr Afzal and his fore-runner, Mr Tariq Hamid Qarra are involved in the forest scams but instead of the taking action against them, Mr Azad restored the portfolio of ''forest'' to the accused minister, Mr Afzal.

Despite tabling the ''Kundal Report'' on corruption in the ongoing budget session of the state legislature, no action has been initiated, while the opposition legislature party has asked the Governor for his attention to make the government see its obstinacy and concede a very legitimate democratic demand.

UNI VBH SR KP1858