Border security uncharted
in CM’s map
Despite
sensational revelations of sensitive maps of the forest area on the
border passed on to Geotech, a privately owned organisation, allegedly
on the instructions of additional Chief Secretary of the forests and
environment department P. Basu, Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel on Wednesday
pleaded total ignorance in the case. The CBI had raided the premises
of the Geotech in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar to recover sensitive maps
given to them on the instructions of Mr. Basu after a PIL had been filed
in the High Court.
Later, the state government
denied that Chief Secretary L.N.S. Mukundan had filed any affidavit
on behalf of the state government in the High Court in a PIL reportedly
stating that the investigations should be handed over to the state investigating
agencies instead of the CBI, which is presently handling the case. A
state government communique said the Chief Secretary has not filed any
affidavit in the High Court pertaining to the proceedings of the forest
department.
The forests and environment
department had given the contract for digitising the maps of forests
for developing a Geographical Information System to Geotech after it
felt that the state administered Remote Sensing and Satellite Communication
Centre, Gandhinagar, would not be able to do the job within the timeframe.
Mr. Basu had allegedly coerced forest officials to hand over "topographical
maps" of sensitive border areas although permission of the Union
ministry of defence is required before passing on any such information.
According to reports, forest
officials had refused to give sensitive maps to the company but Mr.
Basu had used his influence to acquire the maps from a DFO. The CBI
is presently carrying on investigations in the case, which has attracted
the focus of the media. Moreover, no tenders had been invited for the
digitised mapping and the state government has already made an advance
payment of Rs 50 lakhs to Geotech in a total contract of Rs 79
Iakhs although it has not begun its work.
When told that Mr. Basu
had done this as his son is partner in Geotech, Mr. Patel said he is
not aware of the case, the involvement of Mr. Basu nor the affidavit
filed by the state government in connection to the PIL filed in the
High Court.
Mr. Patel said the state
government does not intend to shield any IAS official and the matter
will be probed comprehensively. "If any official is found guilty,
action including transfer and suspension will be taken against him,"
he said.
He assured that despite
any affidavit to the contrary the state government will not attempt
to acquire the investigations from the CBI. In fact, Mr. Patel was informed
by reporters at the post Cabinet briefing that the ball is now in the
High Court and that the state government has no authority to take the
investigations. Mr. Patel denied allegations that Mr. Basu’s name figured
in the list of transfers that took place on Tuesday but had been removed
to allow him to tamper with any evidence in the case.
Responding to a heap of
allegations that the state is compromising with national security, Mr.
Patel said if the official is found even marginally guilty of compromising
with the national interest, harsh measures including suspension could
be taken against him.
