lokayukt (retd Justice) NK Mehrotra, sought a report from the district magistrate of Rae Bareli, on alleged grabbing of Gram Samaj land by the husband of a Samajwadi Party legislator. The land was situated on prime location and is estimated to be valuing several crores of rupees.
Sources said that prime facie, charges against the SP leader seems to be true but Mehrotra would only initiate legal proceedings after the DM would submit his report on the issue. Reports said that the lokayukt, received a complaint that SP MlA, Asha Kishore, had used her position to transfer 0.145 hectare of gram samaj land in Jagatpur (on main lucknow-Rae Bareli highway) in her husband Shyam Kishore’s name. Though Asha claimed that all the laid rules were followed before transfer of land, but sources said that primary probe pointed that the persons, whose names were used in the proposal for transfer of land were never involved in the procedure and they reportedly denied of having sign the papers.
Sources also maintained that even Shyam Kishore in not entitled to have gram samaj land as he is neither landless labour, a SC having no land etc. When contacted, Mehrotra confirmed of receiving a complaint but said that he sought a report from the DM to confirm the facts only after which necessary proceedings could be made in the matter.
Meanwhile, lokayukt also started probe in three other matters of irregularities made by chairperson of Zila Panchayat. Nagar Palika Parishad etc.
In the first case, Mehrotra sought a detailed report from district magistrate of Sonebhadra, about giving of contract for collecting charges from the trucks which carries minerals etc from the land mines. Sources said that every year, the contract has been awarded after making 20 percent increase in the last year’s price, but this year the same has been made not only without making any increase but also making a cut in the last year’s price. It was alleged that Anita Rakesh, chairperson of the Zila Panchayat had made some profits while giving the contract at less price. Further action in the matter will be taken after DM, who was asked to submit report by October 31, would send his findings to Mehrotra.
In a similar matter, Pinki Garg, chairperson of the Nagar Palika Parishad faced probe by Mehrotra after it was alleged that she made payments of 500 street lights at the price of Rs 6650 when the same is available in the market for Rs 4000, thus resulting to huge loss to the state exchequer. Not only this, the initial probe showed that two of the tenders submitted for the purpose were made by unauthorised dealers.
lastly, Mehrotra started probe against chairman of Nagar Palika Parishad of Bagpat, Razuddin, on charges that the civic bodies head had used his power, and is patronising illegal weekly markets at Iddgah, Thakur Dwara, Mata Colony, Anganwadi, Saligram Temple, Sabzi Mandi etc and extorting money from the merchants. In this case also, Mehrotra sought a detailed report from district magistrate of Bagpat and legal proceedings would be only initiated after submission of the report.