–SATISH HANDA
Haryana witnessed record number of embezzlements in registration of properties in tehsil offices in the state between years 2017 to 2021 which include maximum number of corrupt practices reported in few districts not only caused inconvenience to public but also tarnished the image of ruling government in the state in which Gurugram division tops where as many as 119 ‘Patwari’ involved in embezzlements have been charge-sheeted vide Memo No. 7A-498G/EA2/3985 dated February 7, 2022 which include 27 Patwari in Mahindergarh district and 16 Patwari in Rewari district allegedly involved in corrupt practices by state revenue department allegedly violated Section 7 of Haryana Development & Regulation of Urban Area Act 1975 during registration of properties which brought huge revenue loss to the government for their self-vested interest.
Information reveals, registration cases were finalized by concerned Tehsildar or Naib Tehsildar in varius tehsil offices without going through the cases on the reports of registration clerk, Patwari and other junior level staff in the offices without verification of documents for the reasons best known to them. Information reveals, large number registrations in offices were done illegally in unauthorized colonies or having NOC from concerned departments through agents mushrooming in tehsil offices. P.K. Das Additional Chief Secretary told media persons that revenue department Haryana taking serious action against all officers involved in embezzlements and 119 Patwari in Gurugram division as well as 11 registration clerk at Mahindergarh district has already been charge-sheeted whereas many more involved in corrupt practices are likely to have action against them shortly.
Information reveals, thousands of registration cases were reported finalized illegally in Haryana state in past few years when state revenue department directed Commissioners of all divisions to get verified all registration cases in all tehsil offices in the state in past four years and submit report of each and every registration case. It was observed, large number of irregularities in registration cases in 120 tehsil offices by staff and officers in the state in recent past years, most of them detected in Gurugram, Karnal and Ambala divisions. Information reveals, show-cause notices are being sent to officers involved in embezzlements in registration cases in Ambala, Hisar, Rohtak and Faridabad divisions to clarify within 15 days.
Information reveals, there are nearly 30000 suspected registration cases having large number of irregularities finalized in past four years and stern action is being taken against those involved in corrupt practices, some of them are likely to be suspended, few of them to face demotion in services and recoveries will be made from those already retired or their pensions will be discontinued as told by Additional Chief Secretary.
Minister for Panchayat & Village Developments in Haryana state Devinder Singh Babli ,too, has arrived in action mode against corrupt and sluggish staff as well as officers working in Municipal Committee and Municipal Corporation offices in Haryana state. Babli recently suspended a Junior Engineer in Ellanabad municipal committee allegedly not serious in developmental works in the area disclosing that several officers in municipal offices in the state either involved in corrupt practices, carelessness and sluggish working as regard developmental works in urban areas as well as village Panchayats are on the hit list in the state likely to face consequences.
