The Uttar Pradesh government is intensifying its crackdown on misuse of power, negligence and corruption in the Consolidation department. Following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s firm stance, a series of actions have been taken against officers for their failure to address consolidation matters efficiently and ethically.
In recent developments, as many as 28 consolidation officers across eight divisions have faced punitive measures. This includes suspension, issuing of show-cause notices and initiation of disciplinary actions against 13 settlement officers. Furthermore, a deputy director consolidation has been removed from position, while another has been instructed to give an explanation for his negligence.
Additional measures include disciplinary action against a consolidation officer, and withholding the salary of an assistant consolidation officer pending an explanation. Three more assistant consolidation officers have also faced disciplinary actions. In a notable case, a proposal for a 20 per cent reduction in pension was sent to the government concerning a retired assistant consolidation officer due to service irregularities.
Commissioner of Consolidation department GS Naveen mentioned that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s zero tolerance policy, regular review meetings are held to address and curb corruption in the department. In a recent review, significant negligence, irregularities and corrupt practices were identified among many officers. The findings were reported to Chief Minister Yogi, who directed stringent actions against those responsible.
As a result, measures have been taken against consolidation officers in eight divisions — Prayagraj, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Azamgarh, Gorakhpur, Basti, Ayodhya and Devipatan. Notably, settlement officers from Bareilly, Hardoi, Lalitpur, Unnao, Chitrakoot and Jaunpur — Pawan Kumar Singh, Shriprakash Chandra Uttam, Rakesh Kumar, Suresh Kumar Sagar, Manohar Lal and Swatantra Veer Singh Yadav — have been summoned to explain their lack of progress in consolidation tasks.
Deputy Director Consolidation/Chief Revenue Officer Rakesh Kumar Gupta of Pratapgarh has been asked to clarify his failure to fulfill supervisory duties, while a letter has been sent to the Appointment department recommending the removal of Gorakhpur’s Deputy Director Consolidation Officer Raj Narayan Tripathi for not providing necessary work progress updates.
Additionally, a proposal has been submitted to the government to reduce the pension of retired assistant consolidation officer Ramesh Pal Singh Rana by 20 per cent due to service irregularities.
Naveen further highlighted significant disciplinary actions against several consolidation officers for their negligence and irregularities. Settlement Officer (Consolidation) Santosh Kumar of Kushinagar has been suspended for negligence of work and a letter has been sent to the government recommending further departmental action.
Disciplinary action has also been initiated against Settlement Officer (Consolidation) Pawan Kumar Sidhu of Varanasi for failing to complete the consolidation work in village Ajgara, as mandated under the relevant law and for not releasing the transferred consolidation lekhpals. His salary has been withheld as part of the action.
Further, Settlement Officers Mohan Lal, Narendra Singh, Shashikant Shukla and Pawan Pandey, stationed in Shahjahanpur, Mirzapur, Gorakhpur and Deoria respectively, have faced disciplinary action for their laxity in performing their duties.
In addition, Settlement Officer (Consolidation) Dharmendra Singh of Kannauj, Consolidation Officer Shiv Narayan Gupta of Barabanki and junior assistant Umashankar of Barabanki face disciplinary action for irregularities in their investigations. Assistant Consolidation Officer Mahendra Singh’s salary has been withheld for failing to meet the target for village Lalauti in Fatehpur and an explanation has been sought from him.
Disciplinary action has also been taken against Assistant Consolidation Officer Sandeep Yadav of Balrampur for not completing the work in village Mosque.
In response to delays and incomplete work in various villages, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken decisive disciplinary actions against several consolidation officers. In Prayagraj, disciplinary measures have been taken for failure to complete work in village Rajepur Sarai Arjani. Similarly, in Pratapgarh, action has been taken following incomplete work in village Dhami. The assistant consolidation officers in both cases have faced disciplinary action.
In Jaunpur, Assistant Consolidation Officer Sanjay Maurya, along with the consolidator and consolidation lekhpal, has been suspended due to the incomplete work in village Tiira. Additionally, instructions have been issued for further departmental action. In Azamgarh, the assistant consolidation officer responsible for village Mahua has been asked to provide an explanation for the failure to complete the assigned work. Disciplinary action has also been taken against the consolidator and consolidation lekhpal involved.
