Latest news with #Neelakandan
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Tree felling near Sector 43 sparks outcry, audit demand
A large-scale tree felling drive along the busy corridor from Millennium City Centre to Golf Course Road has triggered outrage among residents and environmentalists, who allege that scores of mature trees are being axed with scant notice, transparency or legal scrutiny. Felling reportedly began earlier this week near Millennium City Centre metro station and has since advanced toward Vyapar Kendra. Locals say the operation—linked, they believe, to road-widening or utility-laying—is proceeding 'without signage, public consultation or displayed permits'. 'When I spoke to the contractor, he casually said all the trees on the road would be cut. It's shocking—no prior notification, no transparency,' said a Sector 29 resident, requesting anonymity. Neighbourhood groups from Sushant Lok and adjoining sectors have petitioned the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) and the Forest Department to halt the work. 'It is disheartening to see tree felling right before the monsoon… We urgently need a stronger Tree Protection Act in Haryana, similar to what Delhi has,' said Rashmi of Jeevantara Apartments, Sector 43. Residents have also flagged health concerns. 'The damage to the environment and health is irreversible. Authorities must act immediately,' warned Neelakandan of Sanskriti Apartments, Sector 43. 'Trees are being cut indiscriminately. The contractor claims to have permission, but we see no documentation,' added Vasu Sashti, another Sector 43 resident. Gurugram-based environmentalist Vaishali Rana called the exercise 'disturbing', arguing that development is being pursued 'without compensatory afforestation or public consultation', further imperilling the city's fragile urban ecology. 'Gurugram's urban ecology is already fragile—such actions push it closer to irreversible environmental degradation,' she said. Responding to the outcry, divisional forest officer RK Jangra confirmed the removal, stating that 'the project has formal sanction for the removal of 250 trees. We have obtained all the necessary clearances from the government. There is no alternative for developing this stretch without cutting these trees.' Jangra added that compensatory plantation would follow 'as per legal norms'.
New Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madras HC directs DVAC to probe Peravurani panchayat fund misappropriation
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently directed the DVAC to conduct a detailed inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds belonging to the Peravurani town panchayat in Thanjavur. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has been told to take action against erring officials within six months. Justice B Pugalendhi passed the order on a petition filed by S Neelakandan, who alleged that some contractors colluded with the officials and swindled panchayat funds to the tune of Rs 1 crore without executing the works concerned. Neelakandan said the issue was previously raised before the court in 2023 by one G Senthil Kumar, upon whose petition, the court ordered the director of the town panchayat to conduct an inquiry. Subsequently, the director initiated disciplinary proceedings against the chairman and executive officer of the town panchayat, he said, and sought a criminal investigation into the allegations. However, one N Selvaraj, father-in-law of chairman Shanthi -- also alleged to be involved in the malpractice -- claimed in his impleading petition that Neelakandan's plea is unenforceable as a division bench had passed an interim order in the matter. Justice Pugalendhi observed that the case pending before the division bench is only related to the disciplinary proceedings, and it would not prevent the DVAC from inquiring whether the town panchayat officials were involved in misappropriation. He passed the order, noting that the government had already granted sanction to initiate an inquiry.
