IS DILIP JAISWAL TREATING CORRUPTION OR FUELING IT?

IS DILIP JAISWAL TREATING CORRUPTION OR FUELING IT?

13-AUG-ENG 2      

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA--------------------------The Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms speaks at length about curbing corruption, often portraying himself as a doctor who treats the malady of corruption. He has frequently spoken of administering 'antibiotics' to Circle Officers to cure the system. However, the maneuvers surrounding the transfer and posting of Circle Officers reveal a stark contrast between the Minister's words and his actions, casting doubt on his theory of corruption control. The question arises: is Dilip Jaiswal treating corruption or actually exacerbating it?

A controversy has erupted in Bihar regarding the transfer and posting of Circle Officers. This dispute stems from the Revenue and Land Reforms Department altering transfer orders and from statements made by Minister Dilip Jaiswal. Consider an example to understand the nature of these maneuvers—all carried out under the guise of a theory to curb corruption in the circles. On one hand, the Minister styles himself as a self-proclaimed doctor who cures corruption, claiming he administers 'antibiotics' the moment a complaint is received. Such actions are indeed taken for the sake of appearances: following allegations, a CO is removed and assigned a 'shunting' post (a less significant role), only to be quietly reinstated as the CO in the original circle.

On June 30, 2026, the Revenue and Land Reforms Department executed transfers and postings for Circle Officers. Several of these officers faced serious allegations. Among them was Mahesh Kumar, the CO of the Paliganj circle in Patna district. The Revenue Department removed him from the Paliganj post and assigned him a shunting role as the Assistant Settlement Officer in Sheohar. Subsequently, Dilip Jaiswal—the Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms and the self-styled 'doctor' curing corruption—made a major announcement. A media release announced that on July 20, action was taken against several Circle Officers and officials associated with the Revenue Service; this included Circle Officer (CO) Mahesh Kumar.

Minister Dilip Jaiswal stated that he had approved the framing of charges against CO Mahesh Kumar on July 20. The release noted that Mahesh Kumar—formerly the Circle Officer of Bodh Gaya and currently the Assistant Settlement Officer in Sheohar (as of August 6)—faced charges for failing to issue a clear and final decision in compliance with an order passed by the BLT, Patna.

Following the decision to frame charges against CO Mahesh Kumar, Revenue Minister Dr. Jaiswal remarked that he had initiated action against 67 officials and employees across various cases so far. These cases involved issues such as corruption, irregularities in mutation (land record updates), negligence in official duties, and indiscipline. The objective of these actions is to ensure transparency, accountability, and discipline within the revenue administration. The Minister emphasized that no negligence regarding matters of public interest would be tolerated and that strict action against guilty officials and employees would continue.

Mahesh Kumar, the then CO of Paliganj, was removed from his post on June 30 and appointed as an Assistant Settlement Officer in the state's smallest district. Subsequently, on July 20, the Minister approved the framing of charges against him. Yet, consider this: despite the grand rhetoric from Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Dilip Jaiswal about curbing negligence and irregularities, the very same Circle Officer was posted back to his original circle. On August 6, the Department of Revenue and Land Reforms ordered the transfer and posting of 20 Revenue Service officers; that list included the reappointment of Mahesh Kumar—who had previously been removed from the post—as the Circle Officer of Paliganj.