Mumbai, 10 July (HS): As many as 15 officials of the Revenue Department, including

Deputy Collector and Tehsildar were suspended for misusing provisions of

section 155 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Act and tampering with land records.

The suspension was announced by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule in

the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Action

against those found guilty, including rustication from service, will be

initiated, he added.

Anil

Parab of UBT Sena raised the issue and stated that enquiry by Pune Division has

been completed. Bawankule then announced suspension of the officials.

Pune

Division found 424 cases which were under suspicion. Of them 13 were of very

serious nature to which 15 officials were connected. Investigation relating to

247 cases of serious nature, and 164 simple cases was in progress. The enquiry

will be completed within the next three months and land in dispute will be

restored to the original owner.

Bawankule

said that necessary amendments to the Act will be carried out to prevent misuse

of the authorities.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar