Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court granted the Assam government more time to defend the third post-retirement extension of M.K. Yadava. Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Kaushik Goswami pushed the hearing to November 6. The state needs to file a counter-affidavit regarding Yadava’s role as Special Chief Secretary for Forests. Additional Advocate General P.N. Goswami requested the delay.
Conservationist Rohit Choudhury filed the PIL. He contests Yadava’s work status since he retired in February 2024. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change previously flagged lapses during Yadava’s time as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests. These include claims that he diverted forest land for non-forest use without federal approval. The ministry ordered action against Yadava under the Van Sanrakshan Adhiniyam, 1980, but the state ignored these instructions.
Yadava officially retired on February 29, 2024. He gained re-employment the following March. The Assam Cabinet extended his contract repeatedly, most recently on May 14, 2026, for six months. He holds full financial and administrative authority. The court previously highlighted that state rules allow these hires only in "rare and exceptional circumstances."
The petition also highlights failures to stop land grabs in Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve. Specifically, the filing points to the Panbari and Betbari regions. The court issued notices to the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Union Ministry regarding these encroachments. They must ensure no further land loss occurs.
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