A significant land scam has been unearthed in Bhilwara, where approximately 300 bighas of land belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities were illegally converted to general and OBC categories. This conversion was carried out under the guise of installing solar plants in the Hurda and Antali tehsils of the district. As per regulations, SC-ST lands can't be transferred to the general category in this manner, yet the then Tehsildar, Ranveersingh, allegedly colluded with others to facilitate this fraudulent activity, while
Violation of Rules and Collusion
The former Tehsildar, Ranveersingh, sanctioned industrial conversions for these lands, citing solar plant projects. However, a shocking revelation indicates that these lands, supposedly designated for solar plants, still bear agricultural crops like maize. This strongly suggests that the conversions were a ploy to sell off the lands rather than establish actual solar facilities. Subsequently, these lands were registered and mutated in the names of individuals from the general category, while
New Tehsildar Nullifies Orders
The scam came to light when the new Tehsildar, Ganesh Kachhawa, investigated these conversions. Deeming them a violation of Section 42 of the land. Rules, he immediately canceled the mutations for around 150 files. Lands in revenue villages like Hajiyas, Falamada, Dantda, and Barni were among those affected, while specific instances include 17 bighas of Prakashchandra Bairwa and 15 bighas of Sanwar Bhambi in Rupaheli, along with about 50 bighas belonging to Kamla Bhil, Magna Bhil, and others from SC-ST communities in Hajiyas.
Statements from Officials
Ganesh Kachhawa, the current Tehsildar of Antali, stated that directly converting SC-ST lands to general and OBC categories is a clear violation of Section 42, leading to the cancellation of mutations. He also affirmed that an investigation into other registrations and mutations in the tehsil is underway, while conversely, former Tehsildar Ranveersingh defended his actions, asserting that the solar conversions were executed in accordance with government orders and that there was no wrongdoing on his part.
