Trees axed in the garb of pruning at Patiala

Tribune News Service

Patiala, December 13

A few trees have been axed under the garb of pruning on the premises of the Languages Department.

The local residents said today that workers had been cutting large branches of trees for a few weeks. The workers also used branches to make bonfires at the site, said the residents.

Dr Charanpreet Grover, a resident, said: “The trees on the premises are over 60-70 years old. Department officials have been axing these old trees for a few weeks.”

Another resident, Gurvinder Singh Mokha, said: “Earlier, the workers told us that they were pruning trees. However, large branches, too, were being axed by them.” Another resident claimed a few trees had gradually been axed entirely.

Harbhajan Singh, District Forest Officer, said the government departments were required to get estimates of work from his office before cutting trees.

When a team of The Tribune team visited the site in the evening, youngsters, who claimed to be outsiders, were seen consuming alcohol. A persons, who introduced himself as a security guard of the department, was also present at the site.

Tajinder Singh Gill, Assistant Director of the Languages Department, said he was not aware of the ongoing pruning of trees. “An important function is to be held in the coming days and pruning work could have been started in view of it,” he said.

With regard to consumption of alcohol on the premises, Gill said he had brought the matter to the knowledge of the Director, Dr Karamjeet Kaur, and “appropriate action will be taken tomorrow”.

Dr Karamjit Kaur was not available for comments despite repeated attempts to contact her.