The Odisha High Court on Friday issued notices to the State Government over a petition challenging a circular issued by the State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) to regularise the lands allotted for industrial purposes but are used for other intentions.The Idco, which work as the nodal land acquisition body, in October last year had come out with the circular to regularise change of activity from industrial unit to other social infrastructures like hospitals, market complexes, hotels or educational institutions. The erring leaseholders were allowed to get away with by paying nominal penalties as per the category of land allotted to them.
Challenging this move of the Idco, social activist Shivsankar Mohanty moved the High Court urging the court to quash the impugned order as the same was made aimed at benefitting the erring lease holders. On this count, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) last year had flayed the Government and Idco for flouting the land allotment norms.A Division Bench of the HC headed by Chief Justice Amitava Roy issued notices to the respondents of the petition, including the Chief Secretary.
