Reaffirming the commitment of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government on ‘Zero Tolerance Against Corruption’, Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) cum Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) Anurag Verma has ordered the dismissal of Naib Tehsildar Varinderpal Singh Dhoot for illegally sanctioning the mutation of shamlat (common village land) at village Seonk in Kharar in favour of private individuals.
The action against Naib Tehsildar Dhoot follows a detailed inquiry that found him guilty of violating the Punjab Village Common Lands Act, 1961.The detailed inquiry revealed that Naib Tehsildar Dhoot, while posted as Naib Tehsildar in Majri, SAS Nagar, had sanctioned Mutation No. 1767 on September 28, 2016, transferring ownership of 10,365 kanals and 19 marlas of shamlat land in Village Seonk, Tehsil Kharar, to private individuals.
The inquiry further revealed that this was done despite clear cut instructions issued by Revenue Department of the Punjab Government and a Supreme Court judgment in the Jagpal Singh vs. State of Punjab case (2011), which prohibits the transfer or mutation of shamlat land to private parties.
The inquiry report, submitted by retired Additional District and Sessions Judge BR Bansal, highlighted that Dhoot had not only sanctioned the mutation illegally but also manipulated the shares of khewatdars/occupants by increasing or decreasing their shares without proper verification. In some cases, individuals with no rightful claim to the land were included as shareholders.
Government has zero tolerance policy towards such actions. Hence Considering the above facts and situation, I, as the competent authority, hereby decide and order to dismiss Varinderpal Singh Dhoot, Naib Tehsildar (suspended), from government service under Rule 5 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970,” reads the dismissal orders signed by FCR Anurag Verma, while terming Dhoot's actions as “malafide".
The development came close on the heels of ACS cum FCR Anurag Verma issuing a stern warning to all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) in Punjab against corruption and delays in the registration of plots without No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in the state. The warning was prompted by reports of corruption and delay from various parts of the state in the registration of plots without NOCs, despite the government notification issued in November 2024.
Pertinently, ACS cum FCR Anurag Verma had, earlier, also suspended Tehsildar Ranjit Singh for fraudulently registering property deeds in Jagraon while sitting at Ludhiana East tehsil office. The report showed that Ranjit Singh registered documents in Jagraon at 5.12 PM and, within four minutes, registered another in Ludhiana East at 5.16 PM, which is humanly not possible.
While reiterating the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to rooting out corruption and ensuring strict adherence to legal and administrative protocols, FCR Anurag Verma categorically said that any officer found involved in corruption or any other malpractices will face stern consequences.
Meanwhile, in yet another move to enhance transparency and curb corruption through technological measures, the ACS-cum-FCR has mandated the installation of four Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at every sub-registrar and joint sub-registrar office across the state.
Additionally, all Deputy Commissioners have been directed to access the CCTV feeds and conduct random checks of live footage to ensure that sub-registrars and joint sub-registrars are present in their offices and that citizens are not facing unnecessary delays or difficulties in getting their work done.