Haveri: A fresh administrative tussle has surfaced in Haveri district after the forest department’s territorial wing questioned a decision taken at a Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting chaired by the district minister.The dispute centres on directions issued for joint field inspections of plantation and maintenance works undertaken by the department during 2025-26. At the KDP meeting, officials were asked to review sapling plantations along roadsides and in block plantation areas. Executive officers and gram panchayat officials were directed to inspect sites within their jurisdictions along with Forest Department staff to verify the quality of work, sapling survival rates and expenditure claimed towards maintenance.However, Akshay Prakashkar, deputy conservator of forests of the Haveri territorial division, has objected to the instruction. In a letter to the zilla panchayat chief executive officer, he sought withdrawal of the order, contending that officials from other departments have no authority to inspect works executed by the forest department.Prakashkar cited the Karnataka Forest Code, 1976, and the Karnataka Forest Manual, 1976, to argue that inspection and supervisory powers rest with forest authorities. The letter stated that forest works are already monitored through departmental mechanisms, external audits and third-party evaluations wherever required. Allowing officials outside the department to conduct inspections, he argued, would be beyond the prescribed administrative framework.The objection has triggered debate within the district administration, as KDP meetings are key forums for reviewing development works. Chaired by the district minister, they bring together officers from multiple departments to assess progress, examine delays and issue directions. Decisions recorded in such meetings are generally expected to be implemented by the departments concerned.The controversy has raised a larger administrative question: can a departmental officer seek reversal of a decision taken at a minister-led review meeting, or do departmental rules prevail over directions issued in that forum? It has also renewed focus on the supervision of plantation programmes that involve public funds and create visible community assets.The issue follows a recent Times of India report on alleged misappropriation of govt funds under the RRP. Based on the report, district minister Shivanand Patil ordered an inquiry into the matter.Quotes“The KDP resolutions are supreme; there is no doubt in this regard. Third-party inspection is required in this issue. We will draw the attention of the Haveri district in-charge minister and follow the minister’s directions.”—Daljeet Kumar, Haveri ZP CEO“According to the Karnataka Forest Code, 1976, and the Karnataka Forest Manual, 1976, the DCF has full powers to manage and maintain forest areas in the district. Therefore, officials from other departments cannot inspect forest works.”— Akshay Prakashkar, DCF, Haveri territorial division
