Raj govt suspended 103 officials, dismissed 6 in anti-corruption crackdown since Jan 2024

Jaipur: Over the past two-and-a-half years, the state govt suspended 103 officials, including an IAS officer, and dismissed six from service following corruption-related convictions. The figures were released Friday, a day after Chittorgarh police registered an FIR against minister Gautam Kumar Dak for allegedly threatening and abusing a police personnel, a development that has triggered fresh political debate over governance and accountability in the state.

According to data released by the state govt, action was been taken against 11 retired officials whose lifetime pensions were withheld. The govt granted prosecution sanction in 108 cases involving allegations of bribery, disproportionate assets and abuse of office, while action under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was approved in 37 additional cases.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said the state govt was committed to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.

“Our highest priority is to provide people with a sensitive, transparent and corruption-free administration. Any official who misuses public money will neither retain his job nor pension, and there will be no escape from the law,” Sharma said.

Among those dismissed from service after conviction by courts were former Suwana (Bhilwara) development officer Bharat Prakash Meghwal, former Jhunjhunu deputy director of agriculture Rajesh Kumar Nainawat, former Bharatpur assistant commissioner (commercial taxes) Mahavir Singh Aasiwal and three medical officers — Dr Ram Mohan Singh Chauhan, Dr Murlidhar Sharma and Dr Manohar Lal.

The state has also imposed the harshest pension penalty on 11 retired officials by stopping 100% of their lifetime pension benefits. Those penalised include former Alwar UIT deputy secretary Banwari Lal Meena (RAS), former senior medical officer Dr Shivnarayan Yadav, former deputy secretary Devendra Singh Dhillon (RAS), former Kapasan development officer Manohar Lal Sisodia and former RPS officer Mahendra Singh, among others.

In one of the recent actions highlighted by the govt, senior PHED chemist Pradeep Kumar Hazarati of Alwar was removed from service after allegedly preparing fake reports related to drinking water quality testing.

“Tampering with drinking water quality reports is a grave betrayal of public trust and public health. Such negligence cannot be tolerated,” a senior govt official said.

Former additional public prosecutor Hari Singh Meena was also dismissed after being convicted by an Anti-Corruption Bureau court.

The govt further said compulsory retirement was imposed on former senior veterinary officer Dr Vilas Rao Gulhane, while former IGNP executive engineer Deshraj Noonia was stripped of his full pension benefits.

Prosecution sanction was recently granted against several officials, including former Deeg SDM Devi Singh, former Lalsot BCMO Dr Pawan Kumar Jain, former PHED executive engineer Maya Lal Saini, former assistant engineer Rakesh Chauhan and several other officials associated with the public health engineering department.

The govt, however, did not provide a department-wise breakup of the 103 suspended officials or identify the IAS officer against whom disciplinary action was initiated.

“The message is clear: corruption, abuse of office and misconduct will invite strict action irrespective of rank or position,” an official statement said.

The govt, however, did not provide a department-wise breakup of the 103 suspended officials or identify the IAS officer against whom disciplinary action was initiated.