The land Acquisition Officer (lAO)-cum-Sub Collector (Sadar) Sundargarh is alleged to have misappropriated crores of rupees through fraudulent means to acquire land and release compensation in the Rourkela-Sambalpur road extension project.
Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan (OSAA) convenor Pradip Pradhan here on Sunday said that a sum of Rs 89,42,422 has been paid to one Mousumi Panda in her SBI Account No. 11591763568 as compensation against acquisition of building over eight decimal land of Plot No. 181/1933, Khata No. 168/84 of village Bhoipali under Bargaon Tehsil by the lAO-cum-Sadar Sub-Collector in the road project. But after verification of the spot, it was found that the building still stands there. It has neither been acquired nor demolished by the authority though acquisition process was over last year.
Revealing a RTI report, Pradhan charged that there is also no probability of acquiring the land as the both sides plots of the controversial building are not acquired by the authority and the road expansion on the spot is already in final stage. The Sub- Collector has adopted fraudulent means and generated false document to misappropriate money by falsely acquiring land from Mousumi Panda, he said.
Though the responsibility of an Amin is confined to the measurement of land and location of map, but in this case, the Amin has recommended for compensation to Panda which is also suspicious. So in this context the OSAA has urged the Director, State Vigilance to inquire into the matter and take appropriate action against the Sub-Collector and other officials. Besides money withdrawal and transfer from the account of Panda to other accounts should also be investigated, urged Pradhan.
Pradhan said that though may more information pertaining to scam was sought, the PIO did not provide the information and an application was pending with appellate authority and Information Commission for months together.