Chandigarh, July 15 - Haryana Forest Minister Rao Narbir Singh has directed the forest department officials not to unnecessarily delay in issuing NOC for tree felling for public or private works. He said that if there is any objection to the application given by the people, it should be registered at once so that transparency is maintained in the process and the public does not have to be disturbed repeatedly.
Mr. Rao Narbir Singh was presiding over a review meeting of the forest department at Haryana Niwas, Chandigarh today. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary of the department Mr. Anand Mohan Sharan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and other officers including field DFO.

Transparency and accountability should be ensured in the tender process-
The forest minister also directed to make the tender process simple and transparent. He said that the DFO should not have a monopoly on tenders in work allocation. He clarified that it would be necessary to take approval from the ministerial level before any kind of purchase. He also said that the tender system of Delhi and other states should be studied so that a good process can be implemented in Haryana too.

There should be quality plants in the nurseries of the Forest Department, the campaign called "One Tree for Mother" should be successful -
Shri Rao Narbir Singh directed the Forest Department to make the details of the plants planted since the formation of the state available soon. He said that giving concrete form to the campaign called "One Tree for Mother" started by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi should be the priority of the Forest Department. He gave instructions to ensure annual rotation and maturity of plants in all the nurseries of the department, so that better planting can be ensured.

Removal of Kabuli Kikar (Acacia), ban on purchase of Safeda-
The Minister directed that at least 10 percent of Kabuli Kikar should be removed every year on the roadsides and suitable trees should be planted in its place. He also emphasized on the fact that the Forest Department should not plant water-intensive trees like Safeda. He said that if any farmer wants to plant Safeda on private land, he will not be stopped, but the department should not purchase it in future.

Reconsideration of the rates of digging of carts-
Rao Narbir Singh also said that the rate of digging of carts of Rs. 24 per cart fixed for planting is high and it should be reduced. He especially emphasized on planting of carts to give incentives to agro-forestry, Green India Mission and wood-based industries.
In the meeting, the officers were instructed to bring positive changes in their working style so that the public clearly feels that there has been a change in the Forest Department.