Dehradun: In a bold move to tackle corruption and restore public trust, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has suspended two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and a Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officer in connection with the Haridwar land scam.
The decision, announced through an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), also includes suspensions of 12 officers in total, with a departmental inquiry set to be initiated against the implicated officials.
Officers Suspended Amid Large-Scale Land Scam
Among the suspended officers are 2009 batch IAS officer & District Magistrate (DM) Karmendra Singh, former Municipal Commissioner & 2017 batch IAS officer Varun Chaudhary, and Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ajayveer Singh.
The scam involves extensive irregularities related to land allocation and transfer in Haridwar, raising concerns over governance and transparency. The CM’s swift action has been hailed as a step toward cleansing the administrative culture in Uttarakhand.
Strengthening Anti-Corruption Measures
Earlier on May 25, CM Dhami had urged officials to intensify anti-corruption campaigns, particularly focusing on illegal land conversion cases. Officials were directed to submit detailed progress reports on actions taken. The CM emphasized continuing verification drives and called for immediate and strict punitive measures upon receiving credible information about suspicious activities or individuals.
Focus on Document Verification and Property Encroachment
CM Dhami underscored the importance of strict verification protocols when issuing Aadhaar cards and other government documents, ensuring no documents are granted without thorough checks. He also reiterated the ongoing campaign against property encroachment, directing officials to prevent recurrence on land that has been cleared. A detailed assessment of enemy property encroachment was also commissioned, with officials tasked to submit a comprehensive report.
Developmental and Security Directives
During a recent review meeting, the Chief Minister stressed prioritizing employment of local workers for government construction projects, integrating Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage and traditional mountain architecture into building designs. Further, he directed the strengthening of security arrangements along the state’s border areas and the launch of intensive checking campaigns to maintain safety and vigilance.
