MAT comes to the rescue of forester, officials defiant

Nagpur: The Nagpur forest circle officials have been inviting contempt by defying Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) orders on the transfer of a forester Parag Madke, who is waiting to be posted for the past nine months after he was transferred.
On petitioner Madke’s representation, MAT vice-chairman Shree Bhagwan on April 25, directed the Nagpur chief conservator (CCF) and deputy conservator (DyCF) to give him a posting on any one of the five vacant posts in the Nagpur division but the orders are not being followed.
According to sources among the general list of 64 transfers that are due in a few days, horse-trading is going on for choice postings. Several foresters are vying for lucrative posts.
As reported by TOI earlier, on August 8, 2021, the Nagpur deputy conservator issued orders to transfer 38 foresters. However, a couple of foresters including Madke had challenged their transfer to MAT and obtained a stay on August 11.
Madke, who is presently posted in Kubala under the Khapa range, was posted in Narhar in West Pench where he had worked from 1997 to 2001. Of his 24 years of service, he has already worked in the wildlife wing for over 12 years and wanted sought transfer in and around Nagpur to look after his ailing mother, who is 74year-old. His wife also is a government servant and as per the GR of April 9, 2018, while transferring government servants integration of both should be considered.
However, despite a stay on his posting, Khapa RFO SG Athawale had directed new incumbent BV Lonare to take charge one-sided. But as MAT stay was in force, Madke too continued to work in Khubala as a forester.
On April 11, Madke submitted a request application before the CCF, Nagpur, urging him to consider his name for posting at Hingna, ICD (Ajni), Kapsi, Kamptee, or mobile squad, all under the Seminary Hills range.
Madke also moved his civil application before MAT on April 11. Deciding his application, the MAT has directed Nagpur’s deputy conservator of forests to consider his representation sympathetically and issue transfer orders accordingly.