Adopting a zero tolerance against corruption, the Trivendra Rawat government in Uttarakhand has recommended a CBI probe into the Rs 170 Crore National Highway (NH) land scam. Taking action against the government servants who are involved in the scandal, the Rawat government suspended six officers- including four SDMs on Saturday.

The scam was executed jointly by politicians, farmers, state government staff and NH staff- in which high compensation was provided to selected individual by showing their agriculture land as commercial land. Initial finding indicates a scam of Rs 170 Crore but the amount could go high as many other cases are yet to be examined.

Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat said, “NH 74 is a serious issue, we will fight against corruption like a holy fight. Will not spare any accused.”

Kumoan Commissioner D. Senthil Pandiyan conducted an initial inquiry in the scam. Acting on the report submitted by the Kumoan Commissioner the Uttarakhand government has decided to recommend a CBI inquiry and stop the ongoing Special Investigation Team probe of the state police in the high profile scam.

The primary inquiry report found 18 suspicious cases, in which the state government suffered a loss of about Rs 170 Crore. But, many other cases are likely to surface and the scandal is all set to cross over Rs 300 crore mark.

Acting on the Kumoan Commissioner report, the state government suspended D.P Singh, A.P Shukla, S.S Jangpangi, B.S Phonia, N.S Napchiyal and H.S Martola- who are presently serving in different position in Udham Singh Nagar district.

Besides, National Highway staff, state government staff, and farmers, politics too made big money by getting high compensation for agriculture land. Many beneficiaries provided donation to the Congress party as election fund. Which hints that some influential politicians in Harish Rawat government backed the guilty.

Many farmers from Jaspur, Kashipur, Bajpur and Sitarganj- who were politically connected- received high compensation for their agriculture land. A total sum of Rs 5 Crore was deposited in a bank account of Congress in Dehradun during the election time. The donation was received from builders and farmers from Udham Singh Nagar.

The land scam was organized with active involvement of the National Highway and state government staff. The decision of the Rawat government to seek CBI inquiry has made many political leaders lose their sleep and mental peace.