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Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Haridwar land scam: Spl audit of ex-municipal commissioner's tenure to begin on June 24
Haridwar: The state audit directorate will begin a special audit of the entire tenure of former Haridwar Nagar Nigam municipal commissioner Varun Chaudhari from June 24. Chaudhari was suspended over the Sarai village land scam. The audit team, which has already been allotted office space at the Nagar Nigam office, is expected to complete its work within 15 days, sources said. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami , taking serious note of the irregularities in the land purchase, had ordered a comprehensive audit of Chaudhari's 16-month tenure from Nov 25, 2023, to March 20, 2025. Acting on the CM's directive, deputy secretary (finance) Himanshu Khurana instructed the audit directorate to proceed with the investigation. A total of 33 bigha of land was purchased at an inflated price of ₹54 crore. The case has already led to action against 12 govt officials, including two IAS officers and one PCS officer. The audit will cover not only the land deal but also probe wider financial irregularities and budgetary expenditures of the Nagar Nigam during Chaudhari's tenure. The team will scrutinise spending on various projects, including ₹70 lakh on Deepotsav celebrations during state foundation day, ₹3 crore on the purchase of laptops, ₹1.67 crore on establishing a data centre, and ₹4 crore on electrical items. It will also investigate the renting of a dispensary building at ₹8,000 per month, far below its market rate of ₹50,000. The audit team includes deputy director Vijai Pratap Singh, assistant director Rajat Mehra, and accounts audit officer Kishan Singh Bisht. Reacting to the development, Haridwar mayor Kiran Jaisal said, "I hope that all irregularities will be brought to light and appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty." Haridwar: The state audit directorate will begin a special audit of the entire tenure of former Haridwar Nagar Nigam municipal commissioner Varun Chaudhari from June 24. Chaudhari was suspended over the Sarai village land scam. The audit team, which has already been allotted office space at the Nagar Nigam office, is expected to complete its work within 15 days, sources said. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, taking serious note of the irregularities in the land purchase, had ordered a comprehensive audit of Chaudhari's 16-month tenure from Nov 25, 2023, to March 20, 2025. Acting on the CM's directive, deputy secretary (finance) Himanshu Khurana instructed the audit directorate to proceed with the investigation. A total of 33 bigha of land was purchased at an inflated price of ₹54 crore. The case has already led to action against 12 govt officials, including two IAS officers and one PCS officer. The audit will cover not only the land deal but also probe wider financial irregularities and budgetary expenditures of the Nagar Nigam during Chaudhari's tenure. The team will scrutinise spending on various projects, including ₹70 lakh on Deepotsav celebrations during state foundation day, ₹3 crore on the purchase of laptops, ₹1.67 crore on establishing a data centre, and ₹4 crore on electrical items. It will also investigate the renting of a dispensary building at ₹8,000 per month, far below its market rate of ₹50,000. The audit team includes deputy director Vijai Pratap Singh, assistant director Rajat Mehra, and accounts audit officer Kishan Singh Bisht. Reacting to the development, Haridwar mayor Kiran Jaisal said, "I hope that all irregularities will be brought to light and appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty."
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Haridwar locals struggle to sell properties near waste site where civic body bought land at inflated rate
HARIDWAR : The alleged scam involving the sale of a 2.3-hectare plot next to a garbage dumping site in Sarai village has left locals stunned. Villagers were shocked to learn that the Haridwar Nagar Nigam purchased the land for Rs 54 crore, even as they themselves struggle to sell their properties, despite slashing prices, due to the foul odour and polluted air from the dumping site. Action has been taken against 12 officials, including Haridwar district magistrate (DM) Karmendra Singh , sub-divisional magistrate Ajayveer Singh and the then commissioner of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation . The alleged scam centres on the conversion of the land's use from agricultural to commercial, inflating its value from Rs 15 crore to Rs 54 crore. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued directions to cancel the sale deed and recover the payment made to the farmers whose bank accounts have been frozen. Ironically, the same farmers who secured the inflated rate had previously been unable to find buyers due to the site's proximity to the dumping ground. The facility has made daily life difficult for residents, especially when it comes to arranging marriages for their children. Residents are furious that despite repeated promises by the municipal corporation to manage waste properly, garbage continues to pile up at the site. That the same corporation is now embroiled in the scam has only deepened public anger. A resident, Lakshmi Devi, told TOI, "Before the dumping ground, we were happy. The entire village was living a good life, but now it is like living in hell. Our relatives shy away from coming to our homes, and we are facing difficulties searching for a groom and bride for the young ones. Somehow girls find grooms, but no one is ready to marry the local boys. Garbage burns continuously, and old people and children are facing breathing problems." Many residents are desperate to relocate, but efforts to sell their properties have failed. Local resident Rahul Kumar said, "We do not want to live here. Many have moved to other areas and are living in rented accommodation, while others are trying to sell their property but no one comes forward due to the dumping ground, even at very low prices. We are surprised how the municipal corporation bought land at a commercial rate." For now, villagers are left to endure the stench and pollution as the case unfolds.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Haridwar land scam: Locals struggle to sell properties near waste site where civic body bought land at inflated rate
Haridwar: The alleged scam involving the sale of a 2.3-hectare plot next to a garbage dumping site in Sarai village has left locals stunned. Villagers were shocked to learn that the Haridwar Nagar Nigam purchased the land for Rs 54 crore, even as they themselves struggle to sell their properties, despite slashing prices, due to the foul odour and polluted air from the dumping site. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Action has been taken against 12 officials, including Haridwar district magistrate (DM) Karmendra Singh, sub-divisional magistrate Ajayveer Singh and the then commissioner of the Haridwar Municipal Corporation. The alleged scam centres on the conversion of the land's use from agricultural to commercial, inflating its value from Rs 15 crore to Rs 54 crore. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has issued directions to cancel the sale deed and recover the payment made to the farmers whose bank accounts have been frozen. Ironically, the same farmers who secured the inflated rate had previously been unable to find buyers due to the site's proximity to the dumping ground. The facility has made daily life difficult for residents, especially when it comes to arranging marriages for their children. Residents are furious that despite repeated promises by the municipal corporation to manage waste properly, garbage continues to pile up at the site. That the same corporation is now embroiled in the scam has only deepened public anger. A resident, Lakshmi Devi, told TOI, "Before the dumping ground, we were happy. The entire village was living a good life, but now it is like living in hell. Our relatives shy away from coming to our homes, and we are facing difficulties searching for a groom and bride for the young ones. Somehow girls find grooms, but no one is ready to marry the local boys. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Garbage burns continuously, and old people and children are facing breathing problems. " Many residents are desperate to relocate, but efforts to sell their properties have failed. Local resident Rahul Kumar said, "We do not want to live here. Many have moved to other areas and are living in rented accommodation, while others are trying to sell their property but no one comes forward due to the dumping ground, even at very low prices. We are surprised how the municipal corporation bought land at a commercial rate. " For now, villagers are left to endure the stench and pollution as the case unfolds.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
3 senior officials, including Haridwar DM, suspended in Nagar Nigam land scam
The Uttarakhand government has suspended three senior officials, including former MNA Varun Chaudhari, DM Karmendra Singh, and SDM Ajai Veer Singh, for their involvement in a land scam within the Haridwar Nagar Nigam. HARIDWAR: The state govt, in a clear message that it practices the policy of zero tolerance towards corruption, has suspended three of its senior officials found involved in the Haridwar Nagar Nigam land scam. These include Haridwar Nagar Nigam's former MNA Varun Chaudhari, DM Karmendra Singh, and SDM Ajai Veer Singh. It may be recalled that CM Pushkar Singh Dhami , while ordering an intensive inquiry into the scam, said that "stringent action will be taken against officials or employees found guilty." He directed Secretary Peya Jal Ran Vir Singh Chauhan to conduct a detailed and impartial inquiry into the matter and submit an early report. The report was submitted to the govt a couple of days ago. The inquiry was ordered following a complaint of corruption received from Haridwar Mayor Kiran Jaissal against Chaudhari in the purchase of 35 bighas of land adjoining the dumping ground near Sarai village for Rs.53 crore. The complaint stated that the actual price of the land was much less than the price paid at the circle rate.
