Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 3: Government today informed the High Court that embezzlement of public exchequer has been done by the Revenue officials for expansion of Pahalgam Golf Course.
The Chief Secretary, in his report, has informed the Court that the FIR has already been registered against the erring officials of the Revenue Department including Assistant Collector for manipulating and changing the nature of the land in question.
He further submitted that excess amount paid to the beneficiaries for “Najaiz Shamilat” land shall be made by the erring Assistant Collector as arrears of the land revenue under the provision of ‘Land Revenue Act’.
“The Revenue Department has been asked to initiate necessary steps for recovery of the excess amount paid if any”, report further read.
The Division Bench of Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Sanjeev Kumar directed the Amicus to respond to the report of CS who further submitted that any officer who is involved in the matter can be proceeded against both in departmental proceedings as well as criminal proceedings.
“Accordingly taking cognizance of the matter, departmental action was initiated against the officers involved in the insertion case of land in question by changing and manipulating the original nature of the land by the then officials of the Revenue Department who were placed under suspension and entry was made in their service book as well”, the CS reported.
As per the Chief Secretary the case stands challaned by the Vigilance Organization of Kashmir under Sections 120-B, 420, 467, and 468 RPC and presently the case is pending disposal before the court of Additional Sessions Judge (Special Anti corruption) Anantnag and is at the state of recording of evidence.
The High Court while taking suo-moto cognizance of embezzlement in public exchequer had sought comprehensive response and status report from Chief Secretary of the State.
The issue pertained to disbursing the Government money by the Revenue of officials for process of acquisition of land for expansion of Golf Course at Pahalgam and gross irregularities and illegalities to the cost of huge public exchequer were made by the Revenue officials by awarding the money to those persons who were not entitled to for the same.
Court while taking suo-moto cognizance of the matter said as to what action should be taken against the erring Government functionaries/officers, including the concerned Revenue officers who remained posted in Anantnag and had an occasion to deal with the matter.
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