Chhattisgarh government has placed additional chief secretary (ACS) T Radhakrishnan under suspension for allegedly allowing the selling of tribal lands to non-tribals including industrialists.
This is for the first time when a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) official of ACS has been placed under suspension. Chief Minister Raman Singh gave his nod to take action against the official before leaving for America on Sunday. “The official order was issued by the general administration department today,” a government spokesperson said.
Radhakrishnan, an IAS official of 78, had been charged of giving nod to sell the tribal lands to the non-tribals including industry when he was Chairman of Revenue Board. The official allegedly went beyond his powers to allow the selling of tribal lands.
Following complaint, the state government had constituted a three-member committee headed by ACS Narayan Singh to probe the allegations against Radhakrishnan, who headed the board for nearly three years. During the period, the official allegedly cleared many controversial cases related to transfer of tribal lands to the non-tribals.
Besides land for industries, the board also transferred grazing land and allowed it’s selling in and around the state capital.
The committee submitted its report to the state government indicting Radhakrishnan for serious irregularities. The government officials said that as per the norms, the board had to give consent for selling tribal lands to non-tribals after hearing the case.
The state government had also ordered a departmental enquiry against the IAS official.