Is TSR govt shielding 2 IAS allegedly guilty in NH land scam?

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

The two IAS officers, who are allegedly played dubious role, name have been mentioned in the report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). It was constituted to investigate the NH-74 land compensation scam and they submitted their report to the Chief Secretary. It seems they played dubious role as arbitration officers (settling compensation claims) that they performed while being posted as District Magistrates of Udham Singh Nagar. Now question is being raised that why they are being shielded by the Trivendra Singh Rawat government, who had claimed that it is crusade against the corruption and will sacrifice even his near and dear one in it while referring the case to CBI.

Between 2012 and 2016 five IAS officers were posted as District Magistrates of Udham Singh Nagar. Out of them one died an untimely death, while another remained an officiating DM for six months and as his tenure was temporary he was not entrusted with the task of arbitration. Based on these calculations, the names of two IAS officers who are now posted in Dehradun are doing the rounds for their alleged role in the scam. Though, official word from the government is yet to be out.

An official of Revenue department said that the scam unfolded as the District Magistrates performing the role of arbitrators raised the price of agriculture land numerous times to benefit a few influential persons and even farmers, ultimately leading to a scam totalling around Rs 300 crore. So far, senior officers and politicians have failed to come under the scanner of the SIT. They claimed that they have clinching evidence against the two IAS officers, who are allegedly being named, a notice and charge sheet would have to prepared.

Besides, the Uttarakhand government will also have to seek a go-ahead from the DOPT for initiating departmental proceedings.

Land price raised several times
The officials in the Department of Revenue claim that the scam unfolded as the District Magistrates performing the role of arbitrators raised the price of agriculture land several times to benefit a few influential persons and even farmers, ultimately leading to a scam totalling around Rs 300 crore.