Japan international cooperation agency claims bungling in forest projects, seeks probe

LUCKNOW: The Japan International Cooperation Agency has expressed concerns over the implementation of its Rs 500-crore UP Participatory Forest Management and Poverty Alleviation Project (ID-P 194), following alleged irregularities in Bundelkhand. The agency also requested the UP government to conduct a high-level probe into the matter.

"We have taken note of the matter with serious concern and would thus like to request you to kindly have a high-level inquiry conducted in the matter, so as to take the matter to a logical conclusion at the earliest without affecting the pace of project works," wrote chief representative of JICA, Shinichi Yamanaka, in a letter to UP chief secretary.

While asking for an action taken report on the matter, Shinichi further cautioned the state government that it should ensure that the funds provided by the JICA should be utilised for the project works assigned under it in a transparent and efficient manner.

"We are sure that the government of UP would take all the required steps to ensure the same to uphold the very spirit of bilateral cooperation between India and Japan," Shinichi pointed out in her letter.

"We are highly disturbed by the reports of great irregularities, particularly in Lalitpur district, where chief conservator and conservator of forests of the Bundelkhand zone had been accused of indulging in unfair financial practices," the letter added.  

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Japan-international-cooperation-agency-claims-bungling-in-forest-projects-seeks-probe/articleshow/12669823.cms