Press statement by senior BJP leader, Vice chairman NDMC

Press statement by senior BJP leader, Vice chairman NDMC and former MLA,  Shri Karan Singh Tanwar in a press conference held today i.e. Wednesday the 24th of August, 2016.

Today, Delhi state BJP senior leader, Vice chairman NDMC and former MLA, Shri Karan Singh Tanwar through a press conference drew attention of Defense Minister Sh. Manohar Parrikar towards illegal cutting of giant green trees spread out in acres of land from Delhi Cantonment Barar Square region till Inderpuriby the order of station commander brigadier Jay Singh of Delhi Cantonment, an illegitimate act to forest property, environment and a scam of worth of rupees crores.

ShriTanwar informed that more than 20-30 thousand of big trees like Neem, Sheesham, Peepal, Keekar developed into a highly dense forest from the period of about hundred years in Barar Square region situated in Delhi Cantonment till Inderpuri. This is an A1 land of military and earlier, a decision has been taken by army officersto shift 61 Cavelary unit of army on this land. Then, in complianceto this decision, station commander brigadier Jay Singh converted this beautiful green land into a desert neglecting all the rules and regulations with the help of a contractor named as Tyagi through a planned conspiracy.

Further Sh. Tanwar said that this place of Ridge Valley is known as heart of Delhi due to its greenery and this complete region is also a part of Nicholson range. This was the only place in the middle of Delhi, which not only allures people by its greenery and beauty, also makes them realize the concept of a forest. Besides this, it was also a strong natural instrument to lower down the pollution of vehicles as it was nearby to Ring road.

Sh. Tanwar further said that station commander took permission to cut only a few trees by forest department and the umbrella cover of it, he destroyed the complete forest. Sh. Tanwar showed to journalists the pictures of green tress in the region in 2014 and now after cutting those trees, the construction which has taken place in that region from Google earth. Apart from that, by the rules of forest department, if there is an extreme necessity of cutting trees in a particular region, then it is mandatory to plant trees at some other place, but this has not been done in this case. Not only this,

there is no record what has been done to the precious wood obtained after cutting trees. If this wood has been sold out, then the amount that has been received and which development work has been completed through this lump sum amount, it is also a mystery.

Sh. Tanwar said that he has complained about this corruption scandal and irregularity to honorable chairperson of NGT, Justice Swatantra Kumar on 22nd August, 2016, as it is a serious matter and it has a direct relevance to health of people, corruption, country’s property and a great loss to the exchequer, therefore, it should be investigated by a high level committee.

Further, Sh. Tanwar said that how can station commander brigadier Jay Singh, destroy such a green forest without taking any permission neither from Supreme Court, forest department, NGT noreven from the defense ministry, which is extremely important as per the rules and an act without this, is a criminal offence. On one hand, our honorable prime minister has started a campaign of “Plant trees and save the environment”, on the other hand this person has illegally destroyed an already developed green forest in the capital of the country.

Sh. Tanwar said that this is the same station commander, who by his atrocity and arbitrary behavior took hold of 100 years old historical giant Hanuman Mandirforcibly situated in Gopinath Bazar of Delhi Cantonment just throwing out the Pandits, Pujari’s and management of temple by his army force, while this temple was constructed by the civilian population taking donation from people. Due to this, today also people have a sense of fear and fury. The civilian population has a viewpoint that Station commander has support of chief of army staff; General Ranbir Suhag in all his wrongdoings, therefore station commander threatens them that no one can do anything against him.

Sh. Tanwar further said that in today’s scenario and ecological conditions, this is an extremely serious and sensitive matter. Honorable Supreme Court of India and NGT are serious towards increasing pollution, therefore this matter neither can be ignored, nor can be compromised. Against all the army officials who are involved in this corruption, a criminal case should be registered and should be put behind the bars. Even founder of Art of living Sh. R. R. Ravi Shankar was also not spared in this offence and due to high pressure on NGT and in view of increasing pollution level day by day, he had to pay a high penalty.

In the end, Sh. Tanwar demanded from defense minister Sh. Manohar Parrikar that the whole matter should be investigated through CBI and a case should be registered against the station commander for his wrongful and illicit activities, he should also be sacked immediately so he would be able to distort in a fair and unbiased probe.