Madhya Pradesh SEIAA Chief Seeks Suspension Of Environment ACS, Two Officials; Demands CBI Probe Into Alleged 237 Environmental Clearance Irregularities

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: SEIAA chairman Shiv Narayan Singh Chouhan has petitioned for the immediate dismissal of three senior officials, claiming they engaged in irregularities and conspired to undermine the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). In a letter addressed to Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal, he requested criminal charges be brought against the officials and a CBI investigation into the alleged scheme.

The officials mentioned in his letter are Anirudh Mukerjee, the additional chief secretary of the environment department and director general of the Environmental Planning and Coordination Organisation (EPCO), SEIAA member secretary Harshal Pancholi, and Navneet Mohan Kothari, an individual erroneously assigned the role of environmental clearance issuing officer.

Chouhan alleged that Mukerjee and Pancholi were flouting environmental statutes and conspiring to disrupt SEIAA's operations. He contended that his internet connection had been terminated and the SEIAA portal remained inactive for three months. Chouhan further accused SEIAA staff of being replaced with less competent employees, and the termination of dedicated workers.

He also alleged that Mukerjee had repeatedly contacted the secretary of the Government of India to request the removal of Ashwani Kumar, who was assigned to SEIAA by the federal government. Chouhan maintained that a termination notice was also issued to a stenographer. He further claimed that library assistant Rajnesh Kumar had been appointed as his personal assistant despite lacking basic typing skills.

Chouhan also alleged that Vakil, a wheelchair-bound cancer patient, had been assigned as a servant. He claimed that SEIAA staff had been shuffled over 20 times within a year. Chouhan alleged that SEIAA member secretary Harshal Pancholi had obtained 237 deemed permissions from the then principal secretary of the environment department, Navneet Mohan Kothari, despite no provision existing for issuing such clearances.

He accused former SEIAA member secretary Umamaheshwari of collaborating with Pancholi to hinder SEIAA's functioning.