Latest news with #UttarPradeshZamindariAbolitionandLandReformsAct
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
District Magistrate among 3 top Haridwar officials suspended over ‘land scam', Dhami asks Vigilance to probe
The Uttarakhand government suspended two IAS officers and a Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer following an inquiry into an alleged land scam in Haridwar. The suspended officers are Haridwar District Magistrate Karmendra Singh, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Varun Chaudhary, and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ajayveer Singh. An inquiry into the alleged scam was conducted by a senior officer in the Secretariat. According to officials to whom the report was submitted, the scam involved the officers allegedly facilitating the conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural land, resulting in an increased valuation, after which the corporation acquired it for a higher price. The seller of the plot of land had submitted an application for conversion of land use in July, which was approved in October 2024. An official said, 'The agricultural land, according to the circle rate, was valued at Rs 15 crore. But with the conversion, the circle rate shot up, and it was acquired for over Rs 52 crore. The whole procedure took place without seeking approval from the government.' Following the suspension, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a detailed investigation into the matter by the Vigilance Department. The sale deed related to the land scam has been cancelled, and orders have been issued to recover the money paid to the landowners. The Chief Minister has also directed a special audit of all works carried out during the tenure of Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary in the corporation to look into any financial irregularities. In the suspension order, the Municipal Corporation has been accused of committing irregularities in the acquisition of 2.3 hectares of land in village Sarai in Haridwar. 'As per the preliminary inquiry report dated 29-05-2025 received through the Urban Development Department, Ajayveer Singh (PCS), then Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Haridwar / currently SDM, Bhagwanpur, has been found prima facie responsible for potential collusion with the land sellers. Within a short period, he facilitated the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural under section 143 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, without complying with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) laid down by the Uttarakhand Revenue Council. He also violated other relevant rules and misused his official position,' the order stated. The other two officers — the DM, who was then the administrator of the corporation, and the Municipal Commissioner — have been accused of neglecting official duties, failing to follow the prescribed procedures, not safeguarding the interests of the corporation, and violating rules. DM Karmendra Singh and SDM Ajayveer Singh did not respond to calls from The Indian Express seeking their comment on the matter. Municipal Commissioner Varun Chaudhary said he could not comment as an inquiry is underway. A total of 10 officials have been suspended in this matter so far. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand enforces stringent law restricting sale of land after governor approves
Dehradun: Uttarakhand's revised land law, effectively banning the sale of agricultural and horticultural land to outsiders across most of the state, has officially come into effect following governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh's approval, a statement released on Thursday evening by the state government said. The Uttarakhand state assembly and the cabinet passed the stringent amendments to the land law in February this year. 'With this law, the uncontrolled sale of agricultural and horticultural land in Uttarakhand has been completely banned, aligning with the sentiments of the people. For purposes such as residential use, education, hospitals, hotels, and industries, individuals from other states will now need to follow a strict process and meet the standards set by the law,' chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said. He said that the law is a 'preventive measure' against demographic shifts in the region. 'The implementation of this strict land law will curb attempts to alter the state's demographic composition. I thank the Governor for approving this crucial legislation, which reinforces Uttarakhand's cultural and social identity,' said Dhami, adding actions are being taken against the people violating the provisions of the Land Act. Also Read:U'khand cabinet approves new land law; sale of agricultural land to outsiders banned 'A comprehensive campaign is being run and such lands are being vested in the state government,' he said. The new legislation, formally titled 'Uttarakhand (Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950) (Amendment) Act, 2025', permits non-residents to purchase only 250 square metres of residential land, with strict one-purchase-per-family restrictions. Only two districts - Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar - are exempt from the new restrictions, though sales there will require state government approval rather than district-level authorisation. All district magistrates will have to submit reports related to land purchase to the state revenue council and the state government. The land falling under the municipal limits can be used only according to the prescribed land use. If a person uses the land against the rules, then that land will be vested in the government.
