Two senior clerks have been dismissed from service and three junior clerks penalised following a departmental inquiry into a land corruption scandal involving missing official records at the Assistant Commissioner Office in Chowk Sarwar Shaheed, Muzaffargarh.
Inquiry Ordered by Deputy Commissioner
The action was taken after an inquiry ordered by Deputy Commissioner of Kot Addu, Barrister Bilal Saleem, into allegations of tampering with official records, misplacement of files, and disappearance of government documents from the Colony Branch of the office. The inquiry, conducted by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) of Kot Addu, was initiated on the application of Amjad Farooq and other citizens.
Allegations of Corruption and Extortion
The complainants had alleged corruption, extortion, and deliberate obstruction in matters relating to allotment files of Mouza 139/ML and 140/ML. The investigation revealed that 86 official files were missing from government records. The inquiry also established serious irregularities in the handling and maintenance of official land records.
Dismissals and Penalties
The Deputy Commissioner dismissed Senior Clerk and Reader to Assistant Commissioner Malik Riaz, and Registry Clerk Ghulam Yaseen from service. Additionally, three junior clerks were penalised for their involvement in the irregularities. The exact nature of the penalties imposed on the junior clerks has not been disclosed.
Impact on Land Record Management
This scandal highlights systemic issues in the management of land records in the region. The disappearance of 86 official files raises concerns about the integrity of land allotment processes and the potential for fraudulent activities. The departmental inquiry serves as a step towards accountability, but further measures may be needed to prevent such incidents in the future.
