Umaria DFO Faces Fierce Backlash: BJP and Congress Join Forces, Allegations of Encroachment Surface

Umaria, MP: The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Umaria, Vivek Singh, has come under intense scrutiny for his alleged arbitrary actions regarding official property and encroachment. Sources claim that the DFO has extended the boundary of his office and bungalow by 20 to 30 feet toward the road, narrowing the National Highway and causing public inconvenience.

In a rare political alignment, leaders from both the BJP and Congress have jointly raised their voices against the DFO. Including representatives from all 24 municipal wards, party leaders have submitted a complaint to the district collector, accusing Singh of illegal construction, encroachment, and misuse of government funds. They allege that his actions are compromising road safety and obstructing the city’s drainage system.

Congress Leaders Raise Concerns
Congress leader and municipal councilor Tribhuwan Pratap Singh said, “The forest department officials have demolished the old boundary of their office and bungalow, extending it by 20 to 30 feet onto the road and footpath. Umaria is a district headquarters with growing population and traffic pressure. Such arbitrary expansions create a dangerous and accidental-prone zone, which is against the interests of the city.”

He further added that the DFO is neglecting core responsibilities such as tiger protection and preventing illegal logging, instead focusing on personal enhancements to his office and bungalow—a misuse of public funds. The leaders urged the collector to direct all concerned departments to restore the original boundary and ensure the city’s roads are widened properly. The collector reportedly assured prompt action to stop the construction and issued instructions to the relevant authorities.

BJP Voices Strong Opposition
Senior BJP leader Gyanendra Singh criticized the DFO, stating, “His bungalow has become a center of luxury, and due to his whims, the main road is being encroached upon. Future infrastructure projects like drainage, pipelines, and footpaths will face obstacles if this continues. The DFO seems to be taking possession of the entire roadway.” The BJP, along with all 24 ward councilors, submitted a memorandum to the collector, who reportedly ordered immediate action.

Collector and Media Face Tension
Meanwhile, the district collector has reportedly restricted media access, which has sparked discontent among journalists. Public frustration is also mounting, with citizens demanding the removal of the collector to curb corruption and ensure proper governance. The unfolding situation raises questions about whether administrative intervention will resolve the issue or if political and public pressure will force a larger movement.