Patna: Chief Secretary has directed the principal secretary to find out whether tenders were issued by the forest department for purchase of soil, violation of forest conservation and wildlife preservation act as trucks carrying soil were found unloading soil in Sanjay Gandhi national zoo during night hours.
Soil excavated from the mall site was purchased by the zoo authorities for Rs 90 lakhs at the rate of Rs 4500 per truck. RJD president Lalu Prasad met the chief minister Nitish Kumar at later’s residence last night and claimed he had supplied colw dung from his cowshed to the zoo free of cost though its value was Rs 4 lakhs.
Sushil Kumar Modi, leader of opposition and former deputy chief minister who held forest and environment portfolio in Nitish cabinet demanded a probe by all party committee as he apprehended the official probe would prove an eye wash. He alleged the RJD president’s son was involved in a clash of interest as he ordered supply and sale of soil from his mall to the zoo which is under his control as he is the forest minister.
