Jiribam, November 06 2008: The office of the Forest Department in the sub-divisional town of Jiribam, Imphal East District is on the verge of extinction due to apathy of the authority concerned and further aggravated by the functioning style of a senior Forest officer.

In the absence of any sign of Forest Department offices at work in the sub-division, Assam Rifles have been checking illegal smuggling of timber and other forest products.

The Forest Department has three offices in Jiribam Sub-Division which are located respectively at the main office of Babupara, Jiri; Jirimukh and Chaudhurikhal in Barak circle of Jiri where atleast three Range Officers (ROs), one DFO and around 45 subordinate employees have been assigned duties.

However, the office of the DFO located at Uchathol has become a cowshed and lies unattended due to prolonged absence of the officer since his posting in August 2007 .

In such a situation , many teak trees have been illegally cut and stolen by some unscrupulous persons making a mockery of the existence of Forest Department in Jiri.

During a recent survey, the office gate of the DFO was found locked and the office covered with cobwebs and the verandah occupied by cattles.

The worn out signboard put up is the only visible sign of the existence of the DFO's office in Jiri.

Apart from this it is learnt that senior officers have been attending to their duties from Imphal where all the files and computers supplied by the Forest Dept have been allegedly transferred.

It was informed that these officers visit their office at Jiri only when some MLAs/Ministers arrive for inspection.

The employees of the Forest Dept in Jiri have also been at the receiving end of the apathy of senior officers who are calling the shots from Imphal.

The employees complained of being deprived of their monthly salary as a senior officer has been carrying out his duty from a non-assigned place of work at his sweet will.

Nevertheless, few chosen employees of Jirimukh and Chaudhurikhal are said to be being blessed showing signs of favouritism.

One employee lamented that there are no furniture in the office and the employees have to quench their thirst from the nearby private houses as there is no water filter and even glasses in the office.

One particular employee, who did not want to disclose his identity, rued that he has not received his salary for the last six months on being transferred from Churachandpur because of the apathy of a senior officer who does not care about his sub-ordinate staff.

This particular employee also admitted that he has been spending his time in drinking joints because of the futility in attending the office where he is being deprived of his due salary.

'Tell me how shall I run my family in this condition', he added.

On the other hand, it has been alleged that a senior officer has siphoned off everything and left no stone unturned in squeezing the benefits meant for the Forest Office at Jiri.

The biggest lapse on the part of the Forest Dept in Jiri, is reflected by the fact that illegal timber smuggling and other forest products are being checked by the Assam Rifles.