Patna: The State Revenue and Land Reforms Department has approved disciplinary and punitive action against eight circle officers and revenue personnel as part of its ongoing crackdown on alleged corruption and administrative irregularities.
Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said the state government would continue to enforce its “zero-tolerance” policy against corruption and violations of departmental rules.
The action follows a departmental review of cases involving land mutation, record management and alleged procedural lapses.
Pension cut for former circle inspector
In Jehanabad district, Santu Kumar Ram, the then circle inspector of Ratni Faridpur, has been given the penalty of a 100% permanent pension cut following findings in a departmental review.
In Rohtas district, Surajeshwar Srivastava, former in-charge circle officer of Karghar, has been served a chargesheet for remaining absent for a prolonged period without prior intimation.
Questions over land mutation clearances
In Madhepura, Jaiprakash Swarnkar, the former circle officer of Murliganj, has been accused of disposing of a large number of land mutation cases after his transfer. The department has sought his response in a second show-cause notice.
In separate cases, Amod Kumar, former revenue employee in Ekangarsarai, Nalanda, and Vijay Kumar Gupta, former circle officer of Bounsi in Banka, have been accused of irregularities involving the rejection and later approval of the same document.
Bribery and land record probe
The department said disciplinary proceedings are already underway against Ajay Kumar Sarkar, former circle officer of Narayanpur in Bhagalpur, over allegations of demanding Rs. 5 lakh in exchange for clearing land mutation applications.
Meanwhile, an inquiry is continuing against Seema Rani, former circle officer of Dehri in Rohtas, over allegations of forgery in government land records and irregularities linked to land allocation.
Additional penalties and notices
The department has imposed a penalty of a 10% pension cut for two years on Vijay Kumar Gupta in connection with the Bounsi case.
Amod Kumar has been asked to submit an explanation, while Nagendra Prasad, former circle officer of Belhar in Banka, has also been chargesheeted in another case of alleged irregularities.
Minister reiterates accountability
Jaiswal said transparency and accountability remained a priority for the department and that no level of misconduct would be overlooked.
He said further action would continue wherever violations of rules are established.
