UP suspends official after anti-encroachment order in Ballia mentions caste, religion
The Uttar Pradesh government suspended a Panchayati Raj Department official in Ballia district after an order issued by him mentioning the caste and religion of persons whose properties were to be demolished in an anti-encroachment drive triggered a row, The Indian Express reported on Tuesday.
The order suspending Joint Director of Panchayati Raj SN Singh came on Monday night.
The district administration also withdrew the order on the anti-encroachment drive dated August 2, which was issued by Singh, following criticism on social media and directives from Chief Minister Adityanath, the Hindustan Times reported.
The August 2 order pertained to a drive to remove alleged encroachments from Gram Sabha land, ponds, playgrounds, cremation grounds and panchayat buildings.
It specifically mentioned “illegal occupation by people of a particular caste (Yadav) and a particular religion (Muslim)”, The Indian Express reported.
Adityanath said that the order was “completely discriminatory and unacceptable”, adding that it was a serious administrative lapse, the Hindustan Times reported.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader said that the language used in the directive was contrary to the state government’s policies and created division in the society, which would not be tolerated.
He added that action against encroachments should be taken with complete fairness, facts and law and not on the basis of caste or religion, the newspaper reported.
The chief minister also warned officials not to allow...
Read more
News