The suspension of Gondia collector Pradeep Kalbhor, who was holding the additional charge of Bhandara district, and that of additional collector Dr Yeshwant Gedam was announced on the floor of legislative Assembly by Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, after both the opposition and treasury benches raised a hue and cry over the issue.
The winter session of the state legislature is currently underway at Nagpur.
Kalbhor is currently the collector of Gondia district and Gedam the CEO of district Zilla Parishad.
Earlier, members cutting across the party lines created a ruckus demanding suspension of the duo forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings thrice to restore order.
Members Nana Patole, Sudhir Mungatttiwar (BJP), Bala Nandgaonkar (MNS) Narendra Bhondekar (Sena), Ganpatrao Deshmukh (PWP), Gopal Agarwal, Vijay Wadettiwar (both Congress) closed ranks to demand suspension of the officers.
Replying to a question from members Sudhakar Deshmukh and Devendra Phadanvis (both BJP), Thorat said the preliminary probe conducted against the duo by the Nagpur divisional commissioner in October had revealed that the reservation of 450 acres of the agricultural land was converted to non-agricultural one within a span of nine days by the officers.
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Members cornered the minister alleging that the government was "shielding" Kalbhor against whom an FIR had been lodged for allegedly manhandling a state Electricity Board official.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse alleged that Kalbhor and Gedam flouted rules apparently for pecuniary gains to the tune of Rs 4 lakh per acre. (More)