The transfer of Enforcement Officer (EO) of Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has triggered speculations about the Government’s motive behind the decision. The EO Deba Prasad Dash has been shifted to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) as Deputy Commissioner (Recovery). And the news of his transfer was communicated to him while he was supervising an eviction drive near the Doordarshan Kendra office here on Saturday, raising many eyebrows.
Dash, known as an upright officer, played a pivotal role in clearing encroachments, beautification of the city and expansion of roads and rail infrastructure. During the last one and a half years of Dash’s stint as EO, the joint team of officials of BDA, BMC and General Administration (GA) Department achieved unprecedented success in the eviction and demolition drives. And Dash was instrumental in effecting coordination between the three agencies. Referred to as an eviction crusader, Dash executed his duties fearlessly without caring much about the consequences.
Speculation is rife that Dash faced Government ire for demolishing the Bajrangbali Mutt, popularly known as Patasani Mutt, which was built on Government land at Khandagiri, allegedly encroached by Bhubaneswar BJD MP Prasanna Patasani. Despite stiff opposition from locals, the BDA enforcement team demolished the mutt after high drama. Notably, Dash has been transferred for as many as four times during that last six years.