Did Maharashtra Revenue Minister Surprise Raid Nagpur Sub-Registrar Office Over Bribery Allegations?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Minister Bawankule's raid highlights corruption concerns.
- Complaints from citizens prompted the inspection.
- Cash was found in an official's desk, raising alarms.
- Government urges public reporting of bribery.
- Zero-tolerance policy on corruption remains firm.
Nagpur, Oct 6 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule executed a surprise inspection of the Sub-Registrar’s Office in Nagpur on Monday following a series of allegations about officials soliciting bribes from the public.
Despite having a fully digitized registration system in place, reports suggested that some officials were involved in corrupt activities by demanding unlawful payments.
During the surprise inspection, Minister Bawankule discovered cash concealed in an official's desk drawer, which raised serious alarms regarding ongoing corrupt practices, according to a statement released by the minister's office.
The police have been summoned to launch a thorough investigation into these allegations.
Minister Bawankule has urged citizens to step forward with any complaints if they face demands for bribes.
“We are dedicated to eradicating corruption and ensuring transparency across all governmental operations,” he emphasized.
“I encourage the public to report any such misconduct directly to the authorities without any hesitation,” he added.
The Maharashtra government remains unwavering in its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Further updates will be shared as the investigation unfolds, stated the minister.
Bawankule’s raid comes as the state government is rolling out a 150-day initiative aimed at completely transforming the administration.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently stated that all services will be digital, unified on a single platform, and automated.
“My focus is primarily on e-governance. In my last decade, we transitioned numerous governmental services online, but now I aim for end-to-end digital governance,” he asserted.
He also mentioned that individuals will not need to visit government offices for assistance.
“We are also integrating services through WhatsApp. We have a memorandum of understanding with Meta, which includes a payment gateway. Ultimately, we recognize that technology enhances efficiency and fosters transparency. It also acts as a great equalizer,” he further claimed.