Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday suspended a forest range officer after he was found involved in corruption, officials said.
The officer has been identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, in charge of Range Officer Khuihama Range in Bandipora Forest Division, who was caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while accepting a bribe on Thursday.
An official spokesperson of the department informed that the Range Officer was found involved in illegal financial transactions with the contractor who had been executing the departmental works.
On receiving a report from the ACB, J&K, on this incident, the said Range Officer was placed under suspension, and an inquiry as per CSR has been initiated, he added.
The department has taken steps for improving accountability, transparency, and efficiency by introducing an e-tendering system for executing various works in the department, including plantation works.
He also said that the department has also switched over to an online mode of working to promote e-governance and minimize the physical or manual disposal of public grievances.
