Middlemen & bribes

The exposure of corruption in Haryana’s Revenue Department has laid bare a systemic rot. A government report implicates 370 patwaris and 170 middlemen in widespread bribery, with demands ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 10,000 for essential services like land partition and property mutation. Kaithal, Sonepat and Mahendragarh districts lead in the number of corrupt officials, while Gurugram is home to the highest number of unauthorised middlemen who exploit citizens for profit. The September 2022 findings in Panipat exemplify the extent of the problem. Over 1,500 applications were found pending during a surprise inspection, unauthorised individuals were managing official work and infrastructure deficiencies were glaring. Similarly, a patwari in Kurukshetra was discovered with disproportionate assets, a reflection of unchecked graft in the system.

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The Supreme Court’s December 2022 judgment in Neeraj Dutta vs State (NCT of Delhi) offers a glimmer of hope. By lowering the bar for evidence in corruption cases, it empowers agencies to secure convictions even when witnesses turn hostile. This landmark ruling should embolden the Haryana authorities to take decisive action against those involved in the revenue scandal. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s reiteration of a zero-tolerance policy must be matched by concrete action. Reforms like digitising land records, introducing biometric attendance systems, installing CCTV cameras in offices and conducting regular audits are critical. Moreover, swift punitive measures, coupled with citizen awareness campaigns and effective grievance redress systems, are essential to curb exploitation and build accountability.

India’s 93rd rank in the 2023 Global Corruption Index underscores the urgency for reforms. Corruption in public offices erodes trust and tarnishes governance. Haryana must seize this opportunity to revamp its revenue administration, inspired by the Supreme Court’s robust stance. Restoring public trust is not just a goal but a necessity for ensuring a fair and transparent system.