Rajesh Joshi, a 2011 batch RAS officer is the second casualty in the UIT Udaipur scam in which Rajasthan government had suspended RAS officer Nitendra Pal Singh – two days before his retirement on February 26, 2025.
The government suspended Joshi, who had taken over charge as secretary UIT Udaipur from Nitendra Pal Singh. Both Singh and Joshi were allegedly involved in Rs 530 crore land scam resulted in huge revenue loss to the government. Joshi was there in the office from October 2023 to March 2024.
Joshi was serving as chief executive officer (CEO) of Nathdwara Temple Board. During the suspension period, Joshi will have to report to department of personnel during the suspension period.
How it all unfolded?
The government swung into action after Member of Parliament Udaipur Manna Lal Rawat shot off a letter to chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma demanding disciplinary action against the then UIT secretary Nitendra Pal Singh Singh over the alleged financial irregularities during his (Singh's) tenure as secretary in Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), Udaipur from October 2022 to September 2023.
Rawat wrote that there has been a scam of Rs 1,000 crore while approving residential schemes in UIT. Financial irregularities were flagged in the audit report of 2022-2024 also.
“Nitendra Pal Singh was immediately suspended. Now his successor Rajesh Joshi has also been suspended for not flagging the irregularities and maintains the status quo. Earlier deputy town planner of UIT Ritu Sharma was also suspended,” said a senior officer.
He said that there are chances of more casualties.
“Sawan Kumar Chayal, a 2013 batch RAS, promoted from tehsildar service, was there in the UIT Udaipur (September 2022-December 2023) as officer on special duty (OSD) when Nitendra Pal Singh was secretary (October 2022-September 2023). Questions will be asked from Chayal also,” the officer said.
Chayal is currently serving as deputy secretary in Ayurveda department. He had also served as special assistant to Prem Chand Bairwa, deputy chief minister.
What is the case?
According to sources, UIT officials are said to have violated rules in 9 cases of land allotment a lease deed. These land were located in revenue villages of Dheekli and Bhuwana. It was found that officials had wrongfully approved scheme in 80:20 ratio instead of the standard 60:40 ratio benefiting the developer.
“As per norms, 40% area in any scheme is left for development facilities like road, dispensary, park and other facilities. Plots are developed in remaining 60% area. However, officials in connivance with the developers approved planning in 80:20 ratio allowing development of plots on 80% area,” said a senior official.
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