Solan Patwari suspended for demanding bribe from local

Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma suspended a Patwari on Monday last for demanding bribe from a local resident for executing a revenue-related work. He said, “Several complaints have been received from the public, besides a letter from the Director, Land Records, Shimla, dated October 29 against Patwari Anand Kumar posted at Patwar Circle Solan Town-1. He was unduly delaying the updating of ‘jamabandi’ and the issuance of ‘tatima’ to an applicant, thus causing harassment.”

The complainant also submitted a video clip to corroborate his allegation. “It was grave misconduct and an act of moral turpitude unbecoming of a government servant. He also violated the Conducts Rules, 1964. The Patwari was placed under suspension on November 4 after he failed to give a satisfactory reply to a show-cause notice served on him to explain his position,” added Sharma.

In a related development, the Deputy Commissioner also served a seven-day show-cause notice on a field Kanungo as the Patwari was heard saying in the video clip that the Kanungo should also be given money. “Since his subordinate Patwari had demanded the bribe, the field Kanungo’s involvement could not be ruled out. It reflects negligence and the lack of devotion to duty, besides improper behaviour towards the public,” he added.

Disciplinary proceedings would also be initiated against the field Kanungo if he failed to establish his integrity. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has directed SDM, Solan, Punam Bansal to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the allegations as part of disciplinary proceedings initiated against the Patwari.

The suspended Patwari has been directed to report at Loharghat sub-tehsil during his suspension period.