VARANASI: Inaction against grabbers of patta land allotted to the landless despite removing their possession has brought the sub-divisional magistrates and other concerned officials concerned on their toes.

Surprised to see that despite removing the possession of 3,275 land grabbers from patta land, the action had been initiated only against 52, divisional commissioner Nepal Singh Ravi issued a strict warning to the officials of all the districts on Wednesday. As per the reports collected from all the districts by January end, it came to light that illegal possession of 844 land grabbers was removed in Ghazipur district, 1,325 in Jaunpur, 450 in Varanasi and illegal possession of 650 land sharks was removed in Chandauli district.

However, legal action was initiated only against four land grabbers in Ghazipur and 48 in Chandauli. The commissioner was unable to find out the reason as to why the junior officials avoided initiating punitive action as prescribed in UP Zamindari Abolition Act and section 198-A of the Land Reform Act-1950. He said: "The inaction of junior officials clearly hinted that the criminal elements and influential people who possessed the patta land allotted to landless had influenced them.

Mentioning the provision of punishment prescribed in both acts, Ravi said avoiding action against patta land grabbers by the officials was not only a matter of indiscipline but also the dereliction of duty. He warned all the SDMs to keep all these provisions in mind while initiating action against the grabbers of patta land in future and provide their reports to DM concerned on the prescribed format.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Action-initiated-agains...