Odisha Dy CM KV Singh Deo Inspects Alleged Irregularities in Tree Plantation at Budharaja Hills

Balangir: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo personally inspected tree plantations at Budharaja Hills in Balangir district following multiple complaints of corruption. The Deputy CM made a surprise visit to the Patnagarh forest range to assess the plantation work, trekking through the forest to verify the allegations.

Sources report that the Odisha government had sanctioned lakhs of rupees for the forestation programme at Budharaja Hills, but officials are accused of misappropriating funds meant for the project. Singh Deo, after speaking with locals and forest officials, found little evidence of tree plantations and expressed his dissatisfaction with the handling of the programme.

He also raised concerns about the delay in relieving the former forester, directing the official’s immediate removal. “There are severe irregularities in the forestation efforts. Barely any plantation work has been done, and despite a new forester being appointed, the previous one has not been relieved,” he said.

Balangir Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sudarshan Behera defended the department’s actions, claiming the plantation programme had been completed. “The Deputy CM was shown the tree plantations. We have planted trees and the allegations are without merit,” Behera stated.