Bhubaneswar: In a significant move aimed at curbing irregularities in land sales and registrations, the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, has initiated stringent actions against revenue officers across the state. The government’s decisive measures have resulted in the suspension of two Additional Tehsildars from Bhubaneswar and the issuance of show-cause notices to over 400 others.
The suspended officers, Gitu Behera and Narayan Sethi, both Additional Tehsildars of Bhubaneswar, have been immediately placed under suspension, as per an official notification from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. During their suspension period, they are required to remain present at the Khordha District Collector’s office and are prohibited from leaving the district headquarters without prior permission from the Collector.
Minister Shri Pujari emphasized the government’s commitment to serving the people, stating, “The people are the real owners, and the officers and ministers are their servants.” He further asserted, “Many revenue officers have been suspended, and departmental proceedings have been initiated against them. No one will be spared, and action will be taken against all those involved in irregularities.”
The crackdown stems from the detection of widespread illegal registrations of part plots by approximately 400 district sub-registrars since 2013. These officers have been served show-cause notices, and the department is in the process of preparing misconduct notes against them.
“We are preparing misconduct notes against the officers. These officers will also face action in the coming days,” Minister Pujari warned, indicating that the government is determined to pursue all cases of misconduct to their logical conclusion.
This decisive action by the Odisha government underscores its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability within the revenue department and safeguarding the interests of landowners. The suspension of the tehsildars and the show-cause notices to hundreds of officers signal a strong message that the government will not tolerate any irregularities in land transactions.