Rampant corruption in Revenue Dept haunts people
Rampant corruption in Revenue Dept haunts people
It is alleged that political interference in the Revenue Department reached its peak during the previous BRS government
Hyderabad: Although Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has said that he is making every effort to make the Revenue Department “corruption-free”, it appears that graft continues to flow in the wing like a perennial river, powered by “political interference”.
It is alleged that political interference in the Revenue Department reached its peak during the previous BRS government. However, according to a Revenue Department employee, who spoke to ‘The Hans India’ on condition of anonymity, such interference has continued even under the Congress government. "Excessive political interference is allowing corruption to continue," the employee reasoned. "Political interference - from top leaders to local-level leaders - is affecting the functioning of the Revenue Department and leading to corruption," the employee said.
Telangana Udyogula Sangam honorary chairman A Padmachary said political interference has increased indiscriminately. An employee has to obtain a recommendation letter from the local MLA or another local leader if he or she wants a transfer. Out of fear of MLAs and political leaders, employees are forced to dance to their tunes. This kind of practice naturally encourages corruption, he said. "If this continues, how can an employee function independently? How will the department run if political leaders, who remain in power for only five years, dominate permanent government employees? This practice has been continuing for the last 12 years in Telangana and has not been stopped by the Congress government. People may change governments if they are dissatisfied, but if employees are blamed continuously, the system itself will collapse. Unfortunately, employees are being blamed by people, instead of political leaders," Padmachary said.
A farmer from Nalgonda district, Rangaiah (name changed), alleged that he paid Rs 50,000 to a Revenue Department employee to get the registration of his three-acre land completed under the ongoing sadabainama drive.
Another farmer said he had been unable to get his genuine work completed for several years because he refused to pay a bribe to a Revenue Department employee and chose not to meet any political leader.
Padmachary recalled that in earlier days, Revenue Department employees enjoyed great respect from the public because there was little political interference and corruption. “Today, due to the actions of a few corrupt employees, that respect has diminished,” he observed.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has stated that he is committed to making the Revenue Department corruption-free during his tenure by introducing several reforms. He shared that the property registration system would be migrated to a unified digital platform within a month. Stressing the need to curb corruption in the department, he said reducing the discretionary powers of sub-registrars would improve transparency.
A retired Revenue Department employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the department plays a crucial role in people’s lives and has the power to influence electoral outcomes.
“If the Revenue Department earns a good reputation, the government in power will also earn public goodwill. Otherwise, it could become one of the reasons for a change in government,” he said, adding that people would develop a more positive opinion of the government if the Revenue Minister succeeds in eliminating corruption from the department.
