Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has ordered deduction of 15 days salary of five municipal officials for their alleged role in delaying the implementation of the Shehri Swamitva Scheme. The officials who have been sanctioned include two municipal commissioners, two deputy municipal commissioners and an executive officer from various municipal corporations.

The officials against whom action was taken are Gurugram Municipal Corporation (MC) Joint Commissioner Akhilesh Yadav; Ambala MC Joint Commissioner Puneet; Deputy Municipal Commissioner Deepak Sura; Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Sonepat MC Hardeep and Executive Officer of Nuh MC Arun Nandal.

In other cases, Gurugram MC official Sandeep Kumar was also suspended for allegedly demanding bribe for ₹50,000.

According to a Haryana government statement, the CM took action after looking into cases where the benefits of government schemes, particularly the Shehri Swamitva Scheme, were not being delivered to the people in a timely, transparent and efficient manner.

Government schemes are closely monitored through the Prime Minister’s dashboard. This cell periodically contacts the beneficiaries of the scheme to collect their feedback, which the CM personally reviews.

On Friday, when the confirmation cell contacted the beneficiaries of the scheme, several worrisome issues were revealed. In one case from Gurugram, it was reported that a beneficiary was sent back and forth for two years despite paying the full amount. The case also showed that an official demanded a bribe ₹50,000.

In view of this information, Saini ordered the suspension of official Sandeep Kumar.

Similarly, citizens of Ambala, Sonipat and Nuh have informed the cell that they have paid the entire amount for the scheme a year ago but the transfer deed is yet to be processed.

In response, the CM issued directions to deduct half a month from the salary of the concerned officers. He stressed that no official will be exempted from negligence in implementing government schemes.

The Chief Minister has given instructions that the execution of the assignment deed should be ensured within two days of the payment of the entire amount.

The commissioner and secretary of the urban local bodies department directed the officers to ensure the execution of the transfer deed in the pending cases under the Shehri Swamitva Scheme within the next three days and submit the report.

Apart from this, by November 14, the execution of the deed of transmission of 100 such cases in which the entire amount has been paid should also be completed. Not only this, instructions have also been given to act on 2,152 pending cases in the next 10. days, the spokesperson said.