JIRIBAM, March 15: The Settlement Office in Jiribam Sub division now stands accused of its staff and officials using their position to fudge records and other official documents to take over lands belonging to other people. Locals of the sun division are now calling the matter to the attention of Th. Debendra, the local MLA who is also the Revenue Minister.
Meanwhile, there are widespread allegations that staff of the Settlement Office in the sub division had taken money from people who were meant to get compensation for the loss of their land holdings for the Jiribam Rail line construction. There are also reports that officials of the office have used the names of their family members and relatives and allocated land to their names in areas which has been officially allocated for constructing an FCI godown. Locals have alleged that such a practice is being carried out so that the persons can make money in the name of compensation later. Locals have also claimed that the office is involved in facilitating that khasland area are entered as the property of higher officials and in the process made money out of such arrangements. Mention may be made that many relatives and family members of top officials of the state own property near to the Uchathol Training Center while a former Minister owns a sizeable area in the sub division.
There have been numerous cases of applications sent in by land owners stating that the re survey drive carried out by the office some years had led to various disputes among land holders. But instead of settling the disputes, the absence of officers meant to preside over settlement disputes are leading to disconetent among local staff at the office. The matter has now been apprised to Revenue Minister Th. Debendra by locals who have expressed the view that there is no need for incompetent and dishonest staff at the settlement office in the sub division.