Gurgaon: In a major internal administrative overhaul triggered by allegations of corruption and collusion with brokers, MCG on Tuesday reshuffled 134 clerks across departments, including large-scale transfers within the property tax branch.Officials clarified that the figure of 134 includes both clerks shifted out of the property tax department and those brought in from other branches such as sanitation, engineering, establishment and SSI offices to dismantle what the civic body believes was a long-standing internal nexus.The sweeping action comes after mounting complaints from residents accusing officials of deliberately stalling applications, arbitrarily cancelling files and forcing applicants into dealing with middlemen to get their work cleared. Sources within the corporation alleged that applicants were then summoned to municipal offices, where brokers and intermediaries would approach them with offers to “resolve” the issue for money.According to senior municipal officials, the nexus came about as many of the clerks remained posted in the same branch for years, creating an entrenched network operating with little oversight.“The reason for the reshuffle is that they were deliberately delaying files related to property tax. We have already initiated an inquiry and disciplinary action will be taken against those found involved in wrongdoing. We are streamlining the entire system and moving towards improving governance in the civic body,” MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya told TOI. Additional commissioner Yash Jaluka, who is investigating the matter, has been asked to submit a report soon.Another MCG official said, “This has been done to bring transparency to the functioning of the property tax branch. Complaints of irregularities were being received continuously.”The property tax branch handles a massive public interface, with each MCG zone reportedly receiving around 300 to 500 applications every day. These applications include requests for correction in tax assessments, reduction in property tax and updates to ownership details, mobile numbers and other records.During a recent surprise inspection of the property tax branch, officials reportedly uncovered what departmental sources described as “concrete evidence” of misconduct. Sources said that mobile phones of several clerks were allegedly examined based on suspicion, leading to the discovery of WhatsApp chats, conversations and digital records suggesting leakage of confidential property tax files and direct communication with brokers.
