Tussle over TATR field director post ends

The tussle between two senior forest officers over the post of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) Field Director ended on Friday with Sanjay Thakre,who had been transferred to the Forest Development Corporation of India (FDCM),handing over charge to V K Sinha.

Thakre had refused to hand over charge saying his transfer has been stayed by the government. Without any written document to back his claim,Sinha proceeded to take charge unilaterally and Thakre promptly locked the office the next day. Head of the Forest Force (HoFF) Alok Joshi had,while talking to The Indian Express earlier,said,“it was wrong of Sinha to have taken charge. Thakre’s transfer has been stayed by the government and the written order is expected shortly.”

But on Thursday,Joshi took a U-turn and issued a directive asking Thakre to hand over charge to Sinha. Thakre,however,reported sick. The drama finally ended with Thakre handing over charge. After that,Thakre was given a farewell. When how he had turned the story of the reported stay on Thakre’s transfer on its head,Joshi told The Indian Express: “That chapter is over. It’s a government decision.”

The TATR FD’s post,currently of conservator rank,is being upgraded to Chief Conservator’s rank. Sinha had an edge over Thakre on account of his seniority.