Fake stamp paper, challan scam: AP govt suspends 6 sub-registrars
The AP government discovered that some officials of the revenue department were selling fake challans and stamp papers in sub-registrar offices in more than six districts. Several such incidents were exposed in Kadapa, Vizianagaram, and Krishna districts, said special secretary (revenue) Rajat Bhargava.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 15 Aug 2021 7:00 AM GMT
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government has placed six sub-registrars under suspension and booked 10 criminal cases in connection with the Rs. 5 crore fake stamp paper and challan scam across the state. The government has recovered over Rs. 1.4 crore and ordered a departmental inquiry.
The AP government discovered that some officials of the revenue department were selling fake challans and stamp papers in sub-registrar offices in more than six districts. Several such incidents were exposed in Kadapa, Vizianagaram, and Krishna districts, said special secretary (revenue) Rajat Bhargava.
He said that the state government has incurred a loss of at least Rs. 5 crore due to the scam. The department has so far found more than 10 officials guilty of the crime during the initial probe and the number will likely increase. Officials, brokers, and buyers were involved in the scam and action will be initiated against all those involved, he added.
"As part of the investigation, we are now examining over 65 lakh documents of transactions carried out since March 2021 across the state. The intensity of the scam was more at Mandavalli sub-registrar office in Krishna district," he said.
Stating that the guilty would be severely punished, Mr. Bhargava said once the departmental inquiry is completed, the police will register cases against the guilty. He added that the departmental inquiry has already identified those involved in the scam and more people will be taken into custody soon. Fake challans were used in nine districts across the state to create fake documents to escape payment of tax to the stamps and registration department.
Mr. Bhargava further said that Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy is planning to launch registration activities at village and ward secretariats very soon. "We have already started the pilot project in Thakkellapdu village of Guntur district. We will shift the registration work to the village secretariats by October 2021," he added.
The government is also planning to remove document writers in the registration department and make all registrations online to bring transparency.
