DDPO accused of favouring upper caste men at auction

Tribune News Service

Nabha, June 23

Residents of Kaidupur village alleged that the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) conducted auction of reserved village common land on Saturday in a fraudulent manner.

Sunita Rani in her complaint to the police said they had decided to bid in groups so that more Dalits from economically weaker section could be involved.  She said the auction was cancelled twice earlier as the government rate for the reserved common land was beyond their reach. 

Another resident Parminder Singh alleged that the land was rented to a planted bidder by upper caste people who lured poor Dalits by offering them liquor. He said the announcement was made last night so that other bidders could not deposit money.

DDPO Surinder Singh refuted the allegations and said the auction was conducted as per the norms.

He said the minimum rates for auction could not be decreased and added that if they could not get the Dalit bidders for the third time then the auction would be opened for general category.