Telangana govt announces ex-gratia for slain and injured forest officials
Hyderabad: In light of the challenges and threats that forest department officials face, particularly after a forest range officer was murdered by Gutti Koyas in Bhadradri Kothagudem district last year, the state government on Monday announced ex gratia to forest personnel who have died or been injured as a result of attacks by extremists or anti-social elements.
Following the murder of forest range officer Srinivas Rao, forest personnel had demanded that they be provided weapons to defend themselves from heinous attacks.
Principal chief conservator of forests R.M. Dobriyal, who is head of the forest force, wrote to the state government highlighting the problems faced by the forest officials, particularly in remote rural hinterlands.
Additionally, Dobriyal requested ex gratia to the forest officials in a letter to the state government dated December 15, 2022, to which the government replied favourably.
In a GO released on Tuesday, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari announced the state government's decision to award ex gratia to the forest officers who were killed or injured in attacks.
Families of forest beat officers and equivalent ranks will receive Rs 30 lakh in case of death in violence, Rs 20 lakh for permanent incapacity, and Rs 3 lakh in case of severe injury caused by extremist attacks.
Forest section officers, deputy range officers, and equivalent ranks will receive Rs 45 lakh in the event of death while on duty, Rs 25 lakh in the event of permanent disability, and Rs 5 lakh in the event of severe injury.
For forest range officers and equivalent ranks, the respective compensation would be Rs 50 lakh, Rs 30 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh.
Furthermore, officers in the ranks of assistant conservator of forest, deputy conservator of forest, and equivalent ranks will be awarded Rs 75 lakh in the event of death, Rs 40 lakh in the event of permanent disability, and Rs 5 lakh in the event of serious injury.
All IFS rank officers will receive Rs 1 crore in the event of death, Rs 50 lakh in the event of permanent disability, and Rs 6 lakh in cases of serious injury.
In an executive committee meeting held on Tuesday at Aranya Bhavan, the IFS Association (Telangana Chapter) thanked Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao for announcing ex gratia, while assuring that the forest officials will continue their efforts in protecting the forest wealth. The meeting was attended by PCCF (HoFF) R.M.Dobriyal, president Telangana IFS Association Mohan Chandra Pargaien and others.
