Ahmedabad: The probe by anti-corruption bureau (ACB) into the multi-crore Gujarat Land Development Corporation (GLDC) scam has revealed that farm ponds were sanctioned in the name of farmers who had died years ago.
According to the ACB officials probing the scam, it was revealed that the government officials have got sanctions for digging farm ponds in Valsad district in the name of at least four dead farmers.
“The GLDC officials used various modus operandi to get money by sanctioning farm ponds. For each farm pond sanctioned they got Rs 1lakh.
“They had sanctioned the farm-ponds in the name of dead farmers with forged their signatures and thumb impressions. GLDC officials also got farm pond sanctions in name of farmers who were not even aware about the government aid,” said an ACB official.
“Besides, this the sanctions for farm ponds were given on such plot of land that never existed. The officials had found over 50 survey numbers in Valsad, Surat, Navsari and Tapi districts which did not exist. Moreover, the sanction to dig farm pond was given on government wasteland and the land that belonged to Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC),” added the official.
The official said that anomaly of Rs 42 lakh has surfaced during probe and the figure is likely to cross Rs 2-3 crore after the compilation of all figures.
Sources said that many cases of corruption have surfaced when the ACB started digging into GLDC scam in which the corporation’s suspended managing director KS Detroja is the main accused. Several field officers of the land corporation were also found involved in the scam. “One such officer, PB Premal, who was involved in getting false sanctions of farm ponds, is on the run,” said a ACB official.
- Baviben Lallubhai, who died on April 8, 2007 applied for farm pond on March 7, 2017
- Chhotu Kathia, who died on April 10, 2016 applied for farm pond on March 7, 2017
- Lakhmiben Kakad, who died two years ago, applied for farm pond on March 7, 2017
- Gulab Manga died on January 18, 2005 but got the sanction for farm pond in March 3, 2017