Kailashahar: senior Congress leader and MLA Birajit Sinha has triggered a major political storm by exposing an alleged multi-crore corruption scandal within the Kailashahar Forest Department. Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan on Saturday alongside Unakoti District Congress President Mohammad Badruzzaman, Sinha produced documentary evidence detailing the irregularities.
Sinha alleged that the Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO) unethically bypassed departmental guidelines by floating offline tenders for supplies worth nearly ₹1 crore. He stated that government mandates strictly require online e-tenders for any project exceeding ₹5 lakh to maintain transparency. Instead, the SDFO allegedly flouted these rules to hand-pick contractors aligned with the ruling party. A formal complaint has been lodged with the Chief Conservator of Forests demanding the immediate cancellation of these orders and a high-level inquiry.
The MLA further accused the SDFO of running a monthly commission racket. He alleged that the department is deliberately ignoring rampant, illegal day-time sand mining from the Manu River and turning a blind eye to unauthorized furniture shops using stolen premium timber like Sal and Teak. Sinha demanded swift punitive action against the tainted officials involved.