GUWAHATI: The absence of formal service rules for Forest Rangers in Assam was raised in the Lok Sabha through an unstarred question by MP Gaurav Gogoi on February 3, prompting discussions on the status of their employment regulations.
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In response, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, confirmed that while no formal service rules currently govern Assam’s Forest Rangers, the state Forest department has prepared a draft for these regulations. The process of finalising the rules is currently underway.
MP Gogoi sought clarity on the timeline for implementation and the steps being taken to address grievances related to service conditions, career progression, and employment concerns of the Forest Rangers. The Minister assured that concerns raised by Forest Rangers are being considered while finalising the draft service rules. However, no specific timeline was provided for their implementation.
The query also addressed whether the government has conducted consultations with relevant stakeholders, including Forest Ranger associations, to ensure their concerns are adequately addressed. While the response did not explicitly confirm stakeholder consultations, it reiterated that grievances were being "suitably considered" in the finalisation process.