Shillong, March 28: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on Wednesday said action will be taken against the Council’s chief forest officer (CFO) as per Service Rules for misappropriation of over Rs 34 lakh shares on royalty of the forest department.

T Saiborne, who is the chief forest officer of the Council, was found guilty of corruption in the inquiry report submitted by Additional Judge of the District Council’s Court SB Laitthma to the executive committee last year.

Replying during the question hour here on Wednesday, KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem said, “There were six charges against the CFO. Based on the findings of inquiry report, the EC will take action against him as per provisions of the Council’s Service Rules, 1961.”

He however said as per clauses (iii) and (iv) of Rule 4 of Chapter VI of the KHADC Service Rules, 1961, the CFO is allowed to write a representation to the executive committee (EC) as to why action should not be taken against him.

When asked whether the Council has directed the CFO to refund the misappropriated fund, Syiem however said, “Not yet since the EC is still in the process of taking action as per the service rules.”

Earlier along with Saiborne, three others including the under secretary B Lyngdoh, DCFO M Lyngdoh and a plantation chowkidar F Khymdeit were also put under suspension by the KHADC.

Later, the suspension against the three officials was lifted based on the findings of the inquiry report.