In curious case IFS officer facing trial in Forest Dept scam sanctions pension to himself

Chandigarh: In a shocking case a top IFS officer facing trial in corruption cases related to his tenure in the Punjab Forest Department, passed an order sanctioning himself provisional pension just three months before his retirement. The Punjab government has now cancelled the officer’s self-aggrandizing order.

An order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Forests) Raji P. Srivastava on November 23, 2022, cancelled the sanctioning of provisional pension by Harsh Kumar IFS to Harsh Kumar IFS, Director, State Forest Research Institute (SFRI). Kumar had passed a questionable order dated October 27, 2022, allowing himself the benefit of a provisional pension without the approval of any higher authority.

ACS’s letter sent to six different departments including Harsh Kumar by name says, “where any departmental or judicial proceeding is instituted…or where a departmental proceeding is continued…against an officer… pension shall be sanctioned by the government…on the conclusion (final orders) of such proceedings….”

ACS Srivastava further says that the order passed by Harsh Kumar allowing himself provisional pension is violative of the All India Service (Death-cum-retirement) rules of 1958.

In a separate order, the ACS has called for an explanation from Harsh Kumar asking him to reply within two days of the receipt of the letter. He has been directed to send his reply through the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) R. K. Mishra. Any communication sent directly to the government will not be considered, warned Srivastava.

The latest action of the government is likely to positively impact the functioning of the Department that was plagued by scandals and fights among the IFS officers. As many as three IFS officers are already in the Vigilance Bureau net.

Sources informed that Harsh Kumar is facing trial in corruption at a CBI court in Mohali while another case of forgery is pending against him in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mohali. At least two charge sheets of the Forest Department are also pending for different reasons.

Significantly, the Punjab government’s orders regarding Harsh Kumar have mentioned him as the Director of the State Forest Research Institute (SFRI), Laddowal, and not as the Chief Conservator of Hills. He has been “unauthorisedly” functioning as CCF (Hills) even using the official stamp of this office.

Harsh Kumar had conducted an unauthorised inquiry into the axing of over 2,4000 trees on Bist Doab Canal, Ropar and tried to override the authorised inquiry conducted by former Chief Secretary Anirudh Tiwari.

Kumar had used his questionable inquiry to settle scores with other officers and indicted two former IAS officers, Satish Chandra and Vishavjeet Khanna (both retired now) who remained posted as Secretaries to the Department of Forests from time to time. He indicted several IFS and other officers too in the same matter.

A hardcore litigant, Harsh Kumar has been taking shelter under some orders of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) interpreting them in a manner to serve his interests and prevent the government from acting against him. A majority of the orders passed by the government or the department, not to his liking, were challenged in the CAT.

When contacted for his comments, Harsh Kumar told Indianarrative.com that he had not received any letter from the government. “I will reply when I get it,” he said.