Patna: Deputy CM and revenue and land reforms minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Friday said he was not afraid of death and that his fight against land mafia in the state would continue unabated.Speaking on the sidelines of a programme organised to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary, Sinha said, “I am ready to face death. I want to send a clear message to the mafia that I have entered this fight with complete determination and resolve. Any departmental officer or employee who opposes the campaign I am waging against land mafias is, in fact, working in the interest of land mafias, brokers and middlemen.”He indicated that corrupt circle officers and other officials could face suspension, stressing that no one would be spared if evidence was found against them. He said his objective was to ensure that land reforms reach the public in a transparent and efficient manner.During his recent public interactions at several places, people raised complaints of corruption in block offices and alleged a nexus between officials and land mafias to grab govt and private properties and get them registered in their names in official records.Interestingly, during the BJP’s regular public grievance redressal programme at his residence on Friday, a former Congress MLA met Sinha seeking his intervention, alleging that one of her relatives had encroached upon her house. Sinha assured her that justice would be ensured.The deputy CM reiterated that he was working with full determination to bring transparency into the land and revenue system, categorically stating that land mafias and corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances.Meanwhile, the department has extended the deadline for the farmer registry campaign, being jointly implemented with the agriculture department, till Feb 4.Under the initiative, farmers will receive a unique digital identity, enabling them to access benefits of schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, crop insurance scheme, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), agricultural grants and assistance, and timely compensation for crop damage through a single digital platform.
