Surat collector’s NA decision under suspicion; State govt looking into the matter

Surat: Surat’s Collector Sourabh Pardhi is reportedly under suspicion for his decision to convert Umarwada Parsi Panchayat land to NA (Non Agriculture) despite a High Court stay. He letter attempted to reverse the decision. Meanwhile, former Surat Collector IAS officer Aayush Oak, suspended over the Dumas land case, appeared at Patan District headquarters to report his presence during suspension period.

The decision by Collector Sourabh Pardhi to convert Umarwada Parsi Panchayat land, despite a High Court stay order, has led to further investigation. Questions surround why the Collector proceeded with the conversion and also attempted to annul his order at the Special Secretary Revenue Dispute Settlement (SSRDS) in Ahmedabad.

The government has launched inquiries into land scams across the state in the wake of Oak’s suspension. In Surat, 85 Deputy Mamlatdar have been transferred amid allegations of long-standing irregularities in land-related practices.

Moreover, the Revenue Enquiry Commission (REC) has been tasked with reviewing all decisions related to land during Aayush Oak’s tenure, probing potential misconduct from lower-ranking officials up to the Collector level.

The Chief Minsiter Bhupendra Patel along with top officials from his office, yesterday himself visited the district collector office of Kheda and checked the land related files.

DeshGujarat