SATISH HANDA

After liquor scam worth hundreds crore exposed at Kharkhoda in Haryana state in which illicit liquor of value worth rupees hundreds crore seized by state excise department and police in large number of raids during smuggling kept in the godown of a liquor mafia Bhupinder Singh at Kharkhoda was stolen while under heavy police guard and sold during lock down period at much higher rates by the liquor mafia under a conspiracy with then SHO  Kharkhoda police station and an excise department employee in which several persons including police employees were arrested and investigation team constituted  by state government including three senior officers of the rank of IAS, IPS and excise department after completion of investigation submitted first charge sheet against those responsible for biggest liquor fraud reported in Haryana state so far. Most of arrested accused are presently lodged in jail.

Now another fraud worth crores of rupees in the state regard embezzlements in registration of properties in across the state has been exposed allegedly large number of registration of properties in the state were done by Tehsil offices illegally in unauthorized colonies developed by land mafias without obtaining NOC from Town Planning Department under a conspiracy with property dealers, concerned staff in Tehsil offices and brokers. Information reveals, on getting large number of complaints from people in the state as well as MLAs as regard irregularities in all districts in the state including worst affected Gurugram, Faridabad, Hisar, Ambala, Karnal and Sonepat districts witnessed maximum number of irregularities, misuse of powers by the concerned officials for theeir self-vested interest.  Chief Minister Haryana Manohar Lal Khatter imposed ban over registration of properties till August 17, 2020 directing Additional Chief Secretary cum Home Secretary Vijay Vardhan to investigate alleged frauds and take stern action against all those involved in scams.

Information reveals that revenue collected in the state has been adversely affected due to lock down declared in the state as such registration of properties started from April 22, 2020 in order to collect maximum revenue in the state when. Information reveals,  state government was able to collect revenue between Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore so far from registrations but it proved boon for land mafias developed unauthorized colonies on agriculture land without obtaining NOC from District Town Planner, brokers  active in Tehsil offices and chain of concerned government officials when  nearly 30000 registrations were alleged  finalized in control areas in 32 towns across Haryana state during lock down period, whereas genuine applicants remained moving from post to pillar in tehsil offices to get their properties registered as told by an advocate requested anonymity, which severely affected the reputation of ruling government in the state claims wiped out not only corruption but also transparency in work in government offices.

While addressing a press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said, Haryana state faced severe economic crisis earlier due to lock down in the state when registration of properties was also discontinued and ban was lifted on Aptil 22 this year in order to collect revenue but as a result of irregularities in registration of properties state government had to again impose ban over registrations till August 17, 2020 and all Deputy Commissioners has been directed to investigate irregularities took place in Tehsil offices in the state between April 22 till July 22, 2020 and in case of irregularities all such registrations will be cancelled immediately, he warned. Chautala said, decision has been taken to introduce E-registrations in the state to bring transparency in work and applicants will submit particulars of property and completion of formalities on-line will have registration of their properties within 24 hours on E-mail thus avoiding the interference of any brokers as well as exploitation by an employee in Tehsil office, besides misuse of agriculture land to develop unauthorized residential colonies. Chautala said that new software will be ready in 21 days and now stamp papers of value above Rs 100 will also be available on line.