The Assam Congress has called for a High Court-monitored investigation into allegations against retired IFS officer MK Yadava, who was recently appointed as Special Chief Secretary. The party has strongly opposed Yadava’s reappointment, citing numerous alleged violations of administrative rules and a problematic track record involving illegal land diversion, wildlife mismanagement, corruption, and other serious accusations.
MK Yadava, known to be a loyalist of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, was appointed as Special Chief Secretary in charge of forests in March following his retirement. The Congress party claims that this reappointment violated the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules 1954 and the Department of Personnel and Training’s guidelines on re-employing retired All India Service officers in senior government positions. The party also emphasized his tainted service history.
Debabrata Saikia, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, highlighted a recent show cause notice issued to Yadava by the National Green Tribunal and the forest ministry for creating commando camps in the forest. Despite this, Yadava continued as the Managing Director of Amtron, Assam Electronics Development Corporation. Saikia questioned Yadava’s capabilities and the reasons behind his appointment as Special Chief Secretary by the forest department.
Saikia further noted that Yadava’s appointment violated Assam Forest Service rules regarding promotions. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently filed a case against Yadava for illegally diverting forest lands for non-forest purposes, violating the Forest Conservation Act. The tribunal ordered a halt to all construction activities on the diverted lands and called for a thorough inquiry into the matter and the roles of all involved.
An investigation by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) revealed that Yadava allegedly misled authorities regarding the forest land diversion, attempting to circumvent legal safeguards protecting Assam's forest ecosystem. Congress national spokesperson Rajiv Kumar Bishnoi also accused Yadava of tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 2009 when he was the Amtron chief, irregularities in government exams, and mismanagement during his tenure as director of Kaziranga National Park, where rhinoceros poaching cases increased.
Bishnoi questioned the motives behind the BJP government of Assam and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s efforts to protect the retired IFS officer. Reports indicate that two Chief Secretaries documented Yadava’s direct involvement in misappropriating funds while heading Amtron and suggested his removal from service.
During Yadava’s tenure as Director of Kaziranga National Park, 44 rhinos were poached in two years. As Chief Wildlife Warden, there were multiple instances of elephants being transported without mandatory tagging. Yadava is also accused of diverting significant funds from the Tiger Conservation Fund and General Wildlife Fund for the VVIP movement, leading to his removal as Chief Wildlife Warden following an RTI revelation.
While serving as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Yadava allegedly facilitated the promotion of 209 forest personnel without following the required legal and administrative procedures. A recent complaint filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Karimganj accused Yadava and other forest officials of criminal intimidation and coercion in various villages.
Local environmentalists claimed that Yadava authorized the construction of barriers and other structures along NH-37, obstructing animal movement on crucial wildlife corridors. This blockage prevented animals from migrating to higher ground during the monsoon, potentially causing drowning.
Congress spokesperson Rajiv Bishnoi demanded a High Court-monitored investigation into the alleged violations and corruption by Yadava. He called for the case to be investigated under the supervision of the Gauhati High Court and emphasized the need for a thorough examination of Yadava’s tenure. Bishnoi criticized the BJP and the Chief Minister, accusing them of fostering corruption in Assam.
