Registered No. HSE-49/2016
RIGHT TO INFORMATION
సత్యమేవ జయతే
ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్ రాజపత్రము THE ANDHRA PRADESH GAZETTE PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
G.2265 W.No.49
AMARAVATI , FRIDAY , DECEMBER 16 , 2022
PART I - NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT , HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER OFFICERS
NOTIFICATIONS BY GOVERNMENT
GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH
ABSTRACT
Public services A.P. Forest Department Departmental Proceedings against Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retired on 31.12.2018 ) , earlier Forest Range Officer , Government Timber Depot , Rajahmundry and I/ c . Bamboo Extraction Range , Rampachodavaram of erstwhile Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram of Rajahmundry Circle , under Rule 9 of A.P. Revised Pension Rules, 1980 read with Rule 20 of A.P. Civil Services ( Classification , Control and Appeal ) Rules , 1991- Articles of Charges - Issued - Regarding .
ENVIRONMENT , FORESTS , SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ( SEC.IV ) DEPARTMENT
G.O.Rt.No.133
Dated : 13.12.2022
Read the following:
G.O.Ms.No.87 , EFS & T ( Sec.IV) Department , dated 13.12.2022.
ORDER:
1) Inpursuance of the sanction accorded by the Government under sub- clause (1) of clause ( b ) of sub - rule ( 2 ) of Rule 9 of the A.P. Revised Pension Rules , 1980 for instituting departmental proceedings against Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retired on 31.12.2018 ) vide G.O.Ms.No.87 , EFS& T ( Sec.IV) Department dated 13.12.2022 , it is proposed to hold an enquiry against Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , earlier Forest Range Officer , Government Timber Depot , Rajahmundry and I/ c . Bamboo Extraction Range , Rampachodavaram of erstwhile Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram of Rajahmundry Circle in accordance with the procedure laid down in Rule 20 of the A.P. Civil Services ( CC &A) Rules , 1991 .
2) Thesubstance of the imputations of misconduct or misbehavior in respect of which the enquiry is proposed to be held is set out in the enclosed statement ofArticles of Charges (Annexure- I ) . A statement of imputations of misconduct or misbehavior in support of Articles of Charges is enclosed ( Annexure - II ) . A list of documents by which , and a list of witnesses by whom , the Article of Charges are proposed to be sustained are also enclosed (Annexure- III and IV) .
3) Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , earlier Forest Range Officer, Government Timber Depot , Rajahmundry and I/c Bamboo Extraction Range, Rampachodavaram of erstwhile Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram of Rajahmundry Circle is directed to submit within ( 10) days of the receipt of this order , a written statement of his defence and also to state whether he desires to beheard in person .
4) Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , earlier Forest Range Officer, Government Timber Depot , Rajahmundry and I/ c Bamboo Extraction Range, Rampachodavaram of erstwhile Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram of Rajahmundry Circle is informed that an inquiry will be held only in respect of those Articles of Charges as are not admitted . He should , therefore , specifically admit or deny each Article of Charge .
5) Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) is further informed that if he does not submit his written statement of defence on or before the time specified in Para - 3 above or does not appear in person before the inquiring authority or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of Rule 20 of the A.P. Civil Services ( CC& A) Rules , 1991 or the orders / directions issued in pursuance of the said rules , the Inquiring Authority may hold the inquiry against him ex-parte.
[ P.T.O ] 6) The receipt of the Government Order may be acknowledged.
(BY ORDER AND IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNOR OF ANDHRA PRADESH )
NEERABH KUMAR PRASAD
SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT To
Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) ( through Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HOFF , A.P. , Guntur) .
Copy to :
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & HoFF , A.P. , Guntur . ( He is requested to serve the Government Orders on the Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , obtain his dated acknowledgment on the duplicate copy and submit the same to the Government immediately)
SF/SC ( Computer No.1917445)
//FORWARDED BY ORDER//
SECTION OFFICER ANNEXURE -I
STATEMENT OF ARTICLE OF CHARGE FRAMED AGAINST SRI T. NAGESWARA RAO , FOREST RANGE OFFICER ( RETIRED ) , EARLIER WORKED AS FOREST RANGE OFFICER , GOVERNMENT TIMBER DEPOT, RAJAHMUNDRY AND INCHARGE OF BAMBOO EXTRACTION RANGE , RAMPACHODAVARAM ERSTWHILE LOGGING DIVISION , OF RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM OF RAJAHMUNDRY CIRCLE .
That the said Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , while working as Forest Range Officer , Government Timber Depot , Rajahmundry and I/c . Bamboo Extraction Range , Rampachodavaram of erstwhile Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram of Rajahmundry Circle for the period from 23.12.2013 to 04.06.2017 had exhibited gross negligence of duty and committed misconduct as mentioned in the following Article of Charge :
ARTICLE OF CHARGE :
"That the Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) had got extracted 8,200 no . of long bamboo from Pullangi - Gurthedu Bamboo coupe II / 2016-17 from 06.04.2017 to 21.04.2017 and failed to supervise the transportation of extracted bamboo to the sale Depot on daily basis and left the bamboo at field site . Subsequently , 5,200 no . of long bamboo valued Rs.3,48,400 / - were burnt in the fire accident on 22.04.2017 at " Siripana Gondi " locality as against the extracted bamboo of 8,200 no . in the coupe and suppressed the facts for which , he is responsible for the loss occurred to the Government Exchequer . Thereby , neglected his duties . Hence , the Charge.
Thus , Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retired on 31.12.2018 ) , earlier Forest Range Officer , Government Timber Depot , Rajahmundry and I/c . Bamboo Extraction Range , Rampachodavaram of erstwhile Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram of Rajahmundry Circle by his above mentioned acts has exhibited lack of integrity , discipline and devotion to duty and conduct unbecoming of Government servant and thereby contravened Rule - 3 of the A.P.C.S. ( Conduct ) Rules , 1964 " .
NEERABH KUMAR PRASAD
SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
// FORWARDED :: BY ORDER//
SECTION OFFICER ANNEXURE - II
STATEMENT OF IMPUTATIONS AND MISCONDUCT OR MISBEHAVIOUR IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTICLE OF CHARGE FRAMED AGAINST SRI T. NAGESWARA RAO , FOREST RANGE OFFICER ( RETIRED ON 31.12.2018 ) , EARLIER WORKED IN GOVERNMENT TIMBER DEPOT, RAJAHMUNDRY AND I / C . BAMBOO EXTRACTION RANGE , RAMPACHODAVARAM OF ERSTWHILE LOGGING DIVISION , RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM OF RAJAHMUNDRY CIRCLE .
ARTICLE OF CHARGE :
"That the Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) had got extracted 8,200 no . of long bamboo from Pullangi - Gurthedu Bamboo coupe II / 2016-17 from 06.04.2017 to 21.04.2017 and failed to supervise the transportation of extracted bamboo to the sale Depot on daily basis and left the bamboo at field site . Subsequently , 5,200 no . of long bamboo valued Rs.3,48,400 / - were burnt in the fire accident on 22.04.2017 at " Siripana Gondi " locality as against the extracted bamboo of 8,200 no . in the coupe and suppressed the facts for which , he is responsible for the loss occurred to the Government Exchequer . Thereby , neglected his duties . Hence , the Charge.
Basis of the charge : -
As per the Daily Felling Register / Progress Reports of Pullangi - Gurthedu BC.II/ 2016-17 received from Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , earlier I/ c . Bamboo extraction Range , Rampachodavaram , 8,200 no . of long Bamboo were extracted during the period from 06.04.2017 to 21.04.2017, but did not transport the felled material from time to time to the sale Depot and left thematerial at field site as on 22.04.2017 .
As per reliable information regarding the occurrence of fire accident and burning of long bamboo received by the Divisional Forest Officer , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram during his camp at Rampachodavaram on 03.05.2017 , the Divisional Forest Officer , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram has taken up the field inspection of the area at " Siripana Gondi " locality in Pullangi -Gurthedu B.C - II Coupe on 03.05.2017 and 04.05.2017 along with I/ c Forest Range Officer , B.E. Range, Rampachodavaram and concerned Forest Section Officer of the coupe and noticed that the occurrence of fire accident in the coupe site is true but the FRO did not report the facts to the superior officers till the DFO , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram inspected the field . The DFO , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram found that 5,200 no . of bamboo were burnt in Pullangi- Gurthedu BC II/ 2016-17 of Logging Division , Rajahmundry in the fire accident occurred on 22.04.2017 as against the extracted bamboo of 8,200 no . of Bamboo in the Coupe . The D.F.L. Registers were not shown by the Forest Section Officer to the Divisional Forest Officer in the field . The Divisional Forest Officer had physically verified the left over bamboo stock along with the FRO and other staff and found that only 3,000 no . of long bamboo were available at the spot and the remaining 5,200 no . bamboo were completely burnt due to fire accident in the field . In the field inspection of the DFO , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram , the FRO has also admitted that he is aware of the fact that 5200 no . of Bamboo were burnt and also accepted that he has not conveyed the message to the Divisional Forest Officer and accordingly submitted his statement dt.03.05.2017 to the DFO , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram . The DFO , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram also drawn the field inspection notes dt.05.05.2017 and served on the FRO in this matter . Thus , it is evident that the FRO suppressed the fact of fire occurrence and not brought to the notice of the higher authorities . He failed to take timely action to transport the felled bamboo from the coupe site to the sale Depot for which , the FRO is responsible for the loss of 5,200 no . of long Bamboo . Had the FRO been more vigilant , supervised the works and guided the staff properly , the transport of the Bamboo would have been completed timely and the loss sustained to Government could have been avoided . Hence , the said Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) is collectively responsible for the loss sustained to the Government since 5,200 no . of long Bamboo were burnt in this case .
From the above facts , it is clear that Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd. ) , earlier I/ c Bamboo Extraction Range , Rampachodavaram had exhibited negligence in his duties , was irresponsible and failed to guide the staff properly in completing the works at appropriate time . Accordingly , the FRO in this case failed to attend the legitimate duties and responsibilities of Forest Range Officer as envisaged under Section 155 of A.P. Forest Department Code and other guidelines as prescribed under D.E. ( Departmental Extraction) Manual as well as D.E.T. Scheme in logging works .
Thus , Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , earlier Government Timber Depot , Rajahmundry and I/ c Bamboo Extraction Range, Rampachodavaram of erstwhile Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram by his above mentioned acts has exhibited lack of integrity , discipline and devotion to duty and behaved in a manner which is unbecoming of the Government servant thereby , contravened Rule 3 of the A.P.C.S ( Conduct ) Rules , 1964. Hence the Charge.
NEERABH KUMAR PRASAD
SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
// FORWARDED :: BY ORDER//
SECTION OFFICER ANNEXURE - III
LIST OF DOCUMENTS BY WHICH THE ARTICLES OF CHARGE FRAMED AGAINST SRI T. NAGESWARA RAO , FOREST RANGE OFFICER ( RETIRED ΟΝ 31.12.2018 ) , EARLIER WORKED IN GOVERNMENT TIMBER DEPOT, RAJAHMUNDRY AND I/ C . BAMBOO EXTRACTION RANGE, RAMPACHODAVARAM OF ERSTWHILE LOGGING DIVISION , RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM OF RAJAHMUNDRY CIRCLE ARE PROPOSED TO BE SUSTAINED .
1. Daily Felling Register/ Progress Reports of Pullangi - Gurthedu BC.II/2016-17 received from Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) , earlier I/ c . Bamboo Extraction Range , Rampachodavaram for the month of April , 2017 .
2. Statement dt.03.05.2017 given by Sri T. Nageswara Rao , Forest Range Officer ( Retd . ) before the DFO , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram during the field inspection of Pullangi- Gurthedu B.C- II Coupe on 03.05.2017 .
3. Field Inspection notesdt.05.05.2017 in Pullangi - Gurthedu BC.II / 2016-17 drawn by the DFO , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram and served on the FRO .
4. Inquiry findings in the disciplinary case of Sri K. Ramakoti , Forest Section Officer , earlier Pullangi - Gurthedu BC.II / 2016-17 of B.E. Range, Rampachodavaram finalized by the District Forest Officer , Kakinada as Inquiry Officer .
5. District Forest Officer , Kakinada Proc . Rc.No.3430/ 2017/ P2 , dated 08.06.2020 ( final orders issued in the disciplinary case of Sri K. Ramakoti , Forest Section Officer , earlier Pullangi - Gurthedu BC.II / 2016-17 of B.Ε. Range, Rampachodavaram) .
6. District Forest Officer , Kakinada report Rc.no.3430/ 2017/ P2 , dated 06.07.2020 .
NEERABH KUMAR PRASAD SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
//FORWARDED :: BY ORDER//
dow SECTION OFFICER ANNEXURE - IV
LIST OF WITNESSES BY WHICH THE ARTICLES OF CHARGE FRAMED AGAINST SRI T. NAGESWARA RAO , FOREST RANGE OFFICER ( RETIRED ΟΝ 31.12.2018 ) , EARLIER WORKED IN GOVERNMENT TIMBER DEPOT, RAJAHMUNDRY AND I/ C . BAMBOO EXTRACTION RANGE, RAMPACHODAVARAM OF ERSTWHILE LOGGING DIVISION , RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM OF RAJAHMUNDRY CIRCLE ARE PROPOSED TO BE SUSTAINED .
1. Sri K. Ramakoti , Forest Section Officer , earlier Pullangi - Gurthedu BC.II/ 2016-17 of B.E. Range , Rampachodavaram .
2. Sri A. Suri Babu , Deputy Range Officer , earlier Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram .
3. Sri P. Visweswara Rao , Deputy Range Officer , earlier Forest Section Officer , Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram .
4. K. Bapi Raju , Forest Section Officer , earlier Logging Division , Rajamahendravaram .
NEERABH KUMAR PRASAD
SPECIAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT
// FORWARDED :: BY ORDER//
SECTION OFFICER