Market price of the land estimated at over Rs 300 crore
While some senior ruling BJD leaders are in news over the acquisition of multiple plots and houses in Bhubaneswar under the discretionary quota in gross violation of rules, there are reports that these leaders have also cornered huge patches of forestland on the outskirts of the capital city.
Four BJD leaders, including a Minister and a Rajya Sabha member, have taken possession of nearly 100 acres of village forestland at Ghangapatna mouza under Chandaka tehsil, the market price of which is estimated at over Rs 300 crore. While two leaders have already constructed boundary walls around the forestland and constructed roads, the Revenue Department has remained a mute spectator in this regard, reports said.
Sources in the locality said the Rajya Sabha member, who is a former Minister, has a major share of the ‘illegal’ land and has already dug a bore well there. He has even donated Rs 1 lakh to the local youth club members to ensure that he faces no opposition in taking the land into his possession.
This leader has also managed to construct a wide road to the acquired land during his tenure as Minister. He visits the place frequently and also offers huge donations for local celebrations during festive seasons, villagers said.
What is shocking is that the Revenue Department has chosen to look the other way in these illegal activities. The land appropriations reek of a sinister collusion between authorities and the concerned ministers in the area which is disturbing.