PATNA: The newly formed Bihar government has started tightening its noose around land mafias operating in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister and state land revenue and reforms minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Wednesday warned department officers and employees of stern action if they were found colluding with land mafias.

Addressing a press conference at his official chamber, Sinha said reports had emerged about some departmental officers and employees having a nexus with land mafias. “Nobody will be spared, whosoever they may be,” he told the media.

“Strict action will be taken against any official found involved in such activities,” he said, adding that their offices would not function for personal gain. Some within the department were colluding with land mafia, and action was certain against such “white-collar” individuals.

He said meetings would be held at fixed times in every panchayat, with close monitoring of employee attendance. So far, 46 lakh people had applied regarding land-related matters, of which approximately 12 lakh cases had been resolved and uploaded to the portal.

The minister stated that land disputes were the biggest problem in Bihar, and the government was working on a war footing to resolve them. Mutation and rectification of land records would be the department's top priority. Weekly reviews would be conducted in all districts, and timely completion of work made mandatory. Any officer rejecting an application must provide a valid reason, which would also be verified.

He said strict action would be taken against those committing fraud using fake documents. A special “flying squad” has been formed to monitor such fraudulent activities.