Was a Bihar Revenue Official Suspended After Accepting a Bribe?
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Key Takeaways
Patna, Jan 21 (NationPress) In a significant move, a revenue officer stationed at Farhi Panchayat within the Narpatganj block of Bihar's Araria district was apprehended while taking a bribe for altering land records. Following this incident, the district administration has suspended the official and begun the process for his dismissal from service.
This decisive action came under the directives of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Revenue and Land Reforms, Vijay Kumar Sinha.
The officer, identified as Mohammad Imtiaz Alam, was caught by a team from the Vigilance Department on Tuesday evening while reportedly accepting a bribe amounting to Rs 15,000.
Officials revealed that Alam had solicited illegal payments from Kamleshwari Yadav, a farmer residing in Ramghat Ward No 14 of Narpatganj, for the purpose of correcting land records. Even after allegedly receiving money previously, the official did not fulfill his duties and subsequently requested an additional Rs 15,000.
Upon receiving a formal complaint from Yadav to the Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) in Patna, the claims were substantiated, prompting a trap to be set. The vigilance team arrested the official at the Farhi Panchayat office right after the money was exchanged.
After initial questioning, the accused was then transported to Patna for further investigation.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha commented firmly on the incident, asserting that corruption and bribery will not be tolerated within the Revenue and Land Reforms Department. He emphasized the responsibility of government employees to ensure that citizens and farmers receive timely, transparent, and lawful services.
“We will enforce the strictest measures against any officer or employee found guilty of corruption,” Sinha stated, reiterating the state government's commitment to maintaining a corruption-free revenue administration. He cautioned that any form of negligence, misconduct, or abuse of power will not be overlooked.