However, the preliminary inquiry conducted did not reveal any anomalies in the seven depots in Theog division, but interestingly it was found that in the past one year, five of these had no stock of wood, which is brought through the auction from HP Forest Corporation for further sale.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Theog, B K Chaudhary said the five depots- one each in Deothi, Garaug and Chaila and three in Fagu- had no stock for past one year and they have made no transactions. “So far two of them have been served notices for closure, the rest will also be issued soon”.

These depots are situated in vicinity of forests or are in the heart of the forest areas, which raises the possibility of pilferage from forests. In the preliminary inquiry only two forest depots in Theog forest division were found in active transaction of wood purchased from Forest Corporation.

In the past the Theog, Balsan and Chopal areas of Shimla district have already seen illegal felling in which action was taken against officials and one of the cases is under investigation of State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Through a complaint sent to Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, a resident of Theog had alleged irregularities in the sales depots of forest departm. Acting on the complaint Conservator of Forest, Shimla, S K Sharma had ordered a preliminary inquiry. The depots are licensed to private parties and their licenses are renewed every five years.