An order has been issued suspending Wildlife Warden Bennichan Thomas, who had issued a controversial order allowing Tamil Nadu to cut down trees in the vicinity of the Mullaperiyar Dam. An order has also been issued revoking the permission given to Tamil Nadu to cut down trees in the vicinity of the dam.
The government revoked the controversial logging order as per the decision of yesterday’s cabinet meeting. The cabinet meeting directed Rajesh Kumar Sinha, principal secretary, forest department, to take steps to revoke the order. Accordingly, the Forest Department issued a new order revoking the order.
The order states that Benichan suspended Thomas for failing to hold the necessary discussions at the ministerial level and for not following other procedures. The order also said that Bennichan Thomas’ action was a breach of the Code of Conduct under the All India Service Code of Conduct, 1968. Bennichan Thomas is one of the senior officials in the PCCF rank forest department.
The wildlife warden has given permission to Tamil Nadu to cut down 15 trees in the Mullaperiyar Baby Dam. Following the controversy, the government sought legal advice on the cancellation of the order. The Advocate General has given legal advice to the government that there is no legal impediment to revoking the order. The government’s decision is based on this. Opposition groups called for the beleagured PM to resign.