In Punjab, a troubling scam involving No Objection Certificates (NOCs) has emerged, revealing potential collusion with government officials. The scam relies on forged documents with Quick Response (QR) Codes that, when scanned, link to the official Punjab Government portal. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain's investigation verified the functionality of these QR codes, raising suspicions about their origin. In response, enhanced security measures are being implemented during document registration, and NOCs from development authorities and urban local bodies are under review. The gravity of the situation is exemplified by a police FIR against unidentified individuals.
In a recent turn of events, a preliminary investigation led by Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain has shed light on a perplexing No Objection Certificate (NOC) scam in Punjab, raising concerns over the alleged involvement of government officials. The scam revolves around the use of Quick Response (QR) Codes on forged documents, which, when scanned, direct users to the official portal of the Punjab Government. This unexpected connection to government resources has sparked suspicions of a collusion between the scammers and certain individuals within the revenue department.
DC Aashika Jain took it upon herself to verify this by procuring a couple of fake NOCs and scanning the QR codes affixed to them. Astonishingly, the QR codes worked seamlessly, redirecting her to the official government portal. This seemingly flawless integration of the QR codes with the fraudulent documents has raised questions about how the original QR codes were incorporated into these fake NOCs in the first place.
In response, DC Aashika Jain has issued directives to all sub registrars and Tehsildars to implement enhanced security measures when registering documents with NOCs. The Financial Commissioner of Revenue (FCR) office has also been actively involved, issuing instructions aimed at verifying NOCs issued by development authorities and urban local bodies. Chief Revenue Officers (CROs) have been advised to exercise utmost caution in light of recent reports.
The gravity of the situation is further underscored by the recent filing of a First Information Report (FIR) by the Mohali police against unidentified individuals believed to be responsible for issuing fake NOCs for property registrations. This action was initiated following a complaint from the Executive Officer (EO) of Derabassi Municipal Council.
To get to the bottom of this complex web of deceit, authorities have meticulously examined a total of 815 cases spanning from January 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023. Shockingly, out of these cases, a staggering 169 NOCs were confirmed to be fraudulent, along with the discovery of four counterfeit online maps and two fake offline permits. The scale of this operation is both extensive and audacious, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation.
In conclusion, the NOC scam that has recently come to light in Punjab has sent shockwaves through the government, raising concerns about the involvement of officials in a complex web of fraudulent activities. As investigations continue, the authorities are determined to bring those responsible to justice and implement stricter safeguards to prevent such scams in the future. The magnitude of this conspiracy underscores the need for vigilance and stringent measures to protect the integrity of government documents and processes.
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