In a decisive move against corruption and administrative malpractice, Haryana's Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Rajesh Nagar, has initiated a major crackdown within his department in Kurukshetra. The action led to the immediate suspension of a food inspector and directives to file criminal charges against several other officials.
High-Level Inquiry Exposes Systemic Lapses
The stern measures were announced during a meeting of the district public relations and grievance redress committee. They followed a high-level inquiry led by Ladwa Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM) Anubhav Mehta. The probe uncovered a disturbing pattern of procedural violations, witness coercion, and intentional disruption of essential supplies meant for rural communities.
The inquiry specifically found that Food Inspector Naveen had systematically flouted departmental norms. In a shocking revelation, authorities discovered that ration supplies designated for specific villages were deliberately diverted to far-off distribution points. This malicious act caused significant hardship for low-income beneficiaries who depend on these provisions.
Adding to the severity of the case, the father of a local depot holder submitted a written statement. He alleged that department officials had pressured and intimidated him into giving false testimony during the investigation. Inspector Naveen was found to have explicitly disobeyed official orders concerning the fair distribution of essential goods.
Minister's Zero-Tolerance Directive
Taking a firm stand, Minister Rajesh Nagar ordered the immediate suspension of Inspector Naveen. He further directed the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) in three separate cases where irregularities were conclusively established. These cases involve both an inspector and a sub-inspector.
"Strict action will be taken against any official found violating departmental rules or causing inconvenience to the public," Minister Nagar stated, emphasising his zero-tolerance policy towards bureaucratic negligence and corruption. The meeting was attended by Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena and Superintendent of Police Nitish Aggarwal.
Public Grievances Addressed on Land and Infrastructure
Beyond the corruption purge, the minister also resolved multiple public grievances during the session. Out of 15 issues presented, nine were settled on the spot. Key rulings included:
- Land Encroachment: In a case involving residents of Vishnu Colony, the minister instructed the police to restore possession of a property to its legal owners. He also ordered charges to be filed against individuals accused of forcible occupation and harassment.
- Shop Demolition: Shopkeeper Bhimsen Chawla secured a directive compelling those who demolished his shop to repair it, failing which they would face criminal prosecution.
- Public Infrastructure: The Public Works Department (PWD) was ordered to reopen a government culvert in Kheda village. A farmer had allegedly blocked it with soil, causing localised flooding in nearby homes.
Push for Social Justice in Education
In a significant step toward administrative equity, Minister Nagar intervened in an educational matter. He directed Kurukshetra University to expedite the verification of Scheduled Caste and income certificates for Simran, a student from Kataldi village. This directive ensures her tuition fees are waived according to state policy, removing a potential barrier to her education.
This series of actions in Kurukshetra signals a robust attempt by the state government to cleanse the food supply system and make the administration more responsive and accountable to the grievances of ordinary citizens.
