SC Committee Summons Chief Secretary, PCCF in Shimla Tree Felling Case
Shimla, November 13 —
In a significant move, the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has summoned the Chief Secretary and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) of Himachal Pradesh in connection with the alleged illegal tree felling for a road project in Himri under Shimla Rural constituency, represented by PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh.
The committee, which oversees compliance of the Supreme Court’s environmental orders, has called both top officers to appear before it on November 14 at 11:30 am to explain the state government’s position and submit records related to the project’s approval, forest clearances, and compensatory afforestation measures.
At the centre of the controversy is the felling of nearly 700 green trees to widen the Himri road.
The movement to save these trees is being spearheaded by V.P. Singh from Himri, and has received strong backing from Paryavaran Kwach, an environmental group led by Major General (Retd.) Atul Kaushik. The group alleges that the PWD began tree cutting without obtaining mandatory environmental and forest permissions.
According to sources, the CEC took suo motu cognizance of complaints submitted by local residents and activists, who alleged violations of the Forest Conservation Act and misuse of administrative authority under political influence.
The matter has caused a stir in political and bureaucratic circles since the project falls within the home turf of Minister Vikramaditya Singh — son of the late six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Opposition leaders have demanded a time-bound probe and action against officers involved in the alleged violations.
If the CEC finds the charges credible, the panel may recommend halting the project and initiating disciplinary proceedings against the officials concerned.
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