Environment ministry examining misuse of wildlife funds by Haryana: Jairam Ramesh

NEW DELHI: Rejecting the Haryana government`s demand for a "re-look" into allegations against forest officer Sanjiv Chaturvedi, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday said his ministry had "quashed" the charges against the whistle-blower and was now examining the issue of "misuse" of funds by the state.

"The chargesheet against Chaturvedi has been quashed. There is the other issue of inquiry into the misuse of funds by the Haryana government. I am still examining the issue and we will soon arrive at a final decision," Jairam said on the sidelines of a function when asked about Haryana government's demand.

The Union cabinet secretary had formed a two-member panel after President Pratibha Patil received a complaint from Chaturvedi alleging that he was being harassed by the state`s Congress government for taking action against violators of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and those who misused funds meant for forest-related activities.

Chaturvedi's suspension was revoked by the President in January following submission of the report by the committee headed by inspector general of forests AK Shrivastava and AIG Shally Ranjan. The report had termed the charges against Chaturvedi as "fabricated".

The panel, which found the involvement of "powerful vested interests" of the state in the case, also recommended a CBI probe. Haryana rejected the findings of the inquiry committee and asked the environment ministry to take a fresh look at the allegations.

The harassment of the 2002 batch IFS officer, included frequent transfers -- 12 in five years, suspension and fabricated chargesheet for exposing large-scale irregularities in various projects.