The forest department has shot letter to all district electoral officers to not depute its officials/employees in election duty. The letter signed by additional principal chief conservator of forest, BK Mishra has been marked to collectors of all districts, who are also district electoral officers, and sent on October 29.
The dispatch by APCCF cites reference to a letter sent by Election Commission of India, New Delhi in March 2001, according to which the officials and employees engaged in wild life conservation are exempted from election duty. The letter states, that reports from several districts suggests that staff of forest department has been engaged in election duty, against the orders of the election commission.
The letter concludes by asking the district collectors not to engage regional and wildlife staff members, as it might have an adverse impact on wild life conservation. However, the chief electoral officer, VL Kantha Rao expressed his ignorance about the letter. Rao said that he can comment only after seeing it.