Gaya DM Uncovers Widespread Corruption in Land Mutation Process
District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar has exposed a troubling nexus between revenue department staff and private internet cafe operators. This collusion is directly responsible for the enormous backlog of pending online applications for land mutation and settlement in Gaya district.
Three Circles Show Highest Pendency Rates
Officials confirmed that Gaya sadar, Manpur and Bodh Gaya circles currently have the highest number of unresolved mutation cases. During Thursday's monthly review meeting of the revenue department, DM Shubhankar presented these alarming findings.
The District Magistrate stated clearly, "We have received serious complaints about Bhudaan land being distributed through newly created certificates. This is happening despite official orders to stop issuing such certificates."
Special Committee Formed for Investigation
To address these irregularities, the administration has established a dedicated inquiry committee. This committee includes Additional Collector (Revenue) Paritosh Kumar, Land Reforms Deputy Collector Dilip Kumar Dhwaj, and Senior Deputy Collector Anshu Kumari, who also serves as revenue department in-charge.
Their primary task involves compiling a comprehensive list of all available Bhudaan land across the entire district. This investigation aims to bring transparency to land distribution processes that have been compromised.
Cafe Owners Manipulate Application Process
DM Shubhankar revealed another disturbing practice during the meeting. "We have discovered that internet cafe owners routinely insert their own mobile numbers into online applications," he explained. "This manipulation prevents actual applicants from receiving crucial updates about their cases."
The District Magistrate issued immediate directives to all circle officers. "Issue formal notices to these cafe owners immediately," he instructed. "Make it clear that strict disciplinary action will follow if their mobile numbers appear in any application forms."
Deliberate Delays in Application Processing
Further investigation revealed systematic delays within the revenue department itself. During Janata Durbar hearings, officials observed a pattern where karmchari staff would mark objections on applications before forwarding them to circle officers' login portals.
Instead of rejecting these applications outright, circle officers would simply leave them pending indefinitely. This deliberate inaction has created an artificial surge in unresolved cases, particularly affecting the three identified circles.
Court Orders Ignored, Deadlines Established
The District Magistrate also addressed another critical issue. He noted that several court orders favoring applicants for land possession were not being implemented properly. These cases had been registered through the Janata Durbar system but saw no follow-through.
To combat this administrative failure, DM Shubhankar set a firm deadline of January 26 for completing all pending land measurements. He mandated that measurement reports must be made available to every applicant by this date.
This comprehensive crackdown represents the administration's determined effort to restore integrity to Gaya's land mutation system. The formation of the special committee and strict deadlines signal a new approach to tackling corruption that has plagued the district's revenue department.
