Patna, Dec 29 (NationPress) Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms, Vijay Kumar Sinha, has initiated a vigorous campaign targeting the land mafia, brokers, and corruption within the department. He firmly asserted that any form of fraud or manipulation related to government land will face no tolerance.

He cautioned that stringent actions will be taken not only against the land mafia involved in the illegal sale of government land but also against officials within the department who may be colluding with such activities.

Discussing the matter, Vijay Kumar Sinha highlighted the serious issue surrounding the transfer of government land belonging to the State Seed Multiplication Farm in Kanti, Muzaffarpur, to a private entity.

“Under no circumstances can government land be encroached upon. Should investigations reveal that established rules were circumvented or court orders misinterpreted to register government land in private ownership, the strictest legal and departmental actions will be pursued against all implicated officials and beneficiaries,” stated the Deputy Chief Minister.

This case pertains to the unlawful transfer of 44 dismils of government land out of a total of six acres registered to the State Seed Multiplication Farm in Kanti, Muzaffarpur.

This transfer was executed by the then Circle Officer of Kanti based on an order from December 2023 in Title Suit No. 303/2018.

However, it was essential to obtain a legal opinion and file an appeal in the appropriate court before altering any land records, a procedure the Circle Officer neglected, resulting in the direct transfer of agricultural land belonging to the Agriculture Department to a private individual.

Upon learning of the situation, the Additional Collector of Muzaffarpur mandated an inquiry.

The inquiry report indicated that the Circle Officer had breached departmental regulations by unlawfully transferring government agricultural land.

Based on the inquiry's findings, the District Magistrate of Muzaffarpur notified the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department in Patna, recommending stringent action.

As a result, the former Circle Officer of Kanti faced suspension by the department.

Simultaneously, efforts were accelerated to file an appeal against the order of the Sub-Judge in Muzaffarpur.

Correspondence was initiated with the Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, and the legal grounds for the appeal were established.

Following advice from the Advocate General of Bihar for immediate action, the District Agriculture Officer of Muzaffarpur submitted a first appeal to the Patna High Court.

The appeal is currently pending.

According to administrative sources, this case is seen as a pivotal test for safeguarding government agricultural land in Bihar.

The Revenue and Land Reforms Department has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against land grabbing and corruption, emphasizing that further legal and departmental actions are under close scrutiny.