Guwahati, June 8 -- In a significant development that has sent ripples through the state's administrative machinery, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has directed the Assam government to immediately promote Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer K.S.P.V. Pavan Kumar to the post of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Wildlife.

The order not only mandates Kumar's promotion with retrospective effect from January 1, 2024, but also quashes the appointment of another senior IFS officer to the same post.

The controversy dates back to August 29, 2023, when the Joint Cadre Authority (JAC) shortlisted a three-member panel for the top forest department post.

The panel comprised 1991-batch IFS officer R.P. Singh, 1992-batch office...