Odisha govt land within the fingers of 18 encroachers, two workers suspended

By Express News Service
MALKANGIRI: An enormous land rip-off involving unlawful settlement of presidency land in favour of contractors, businessmen and politicians has come to fore at Kalimela block with the suspension of a income inspector and a clerk of tehsil workplace by Collector Vijay Yedulla. 

The Collector who was entrusted with investigation of the matter by Revenue and Disaster Management division ordered suspension of income inspector Suresh Pujari and clerk Dibyasingh Paikray for his or her involvement within the case. 

However, no motion has but been taken towards tehsildar Alok Kumar Anugulia who had allegedly settled authorities land in favour of 18 encroachers in clear violation of Orissa Prevention of Land Encroachment Act. 

The rip-off surfaced after the Governor’s Secretariat, in a letter dated December 4, 2020 requested Principal Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management division to look into the matter following a criticism on this regard by former Kalimela sarpanch Mukund Nayak. 

Nayak had alleged that Anugulia in connivance with Pujari and Paikray had illegally registered giant tracts of presidency land in favour of 18 encroachers in trade for financial favours.  Subsequently, the Revenue division requested the Collector to look into the difficulty on December 17 final 12 months and submit a report inside 10 days.

Sub-Collector Rameshwar Pradhan verified the document of land within the block and located that Anugulia violated the norms whereas registering authorities land within the names of the 18 individuals. Meanwhile, locals have sought a high-level probe into the rip-off. They alleged a number of senior officers too are concerned in it. Malkangiri ADM Birasen Pradhan stated Anugulia had violated the norms as he signed the settlement of land. Sources quoting district administration officers stated the higher-ups have been apprised of the matter and motion will quickly be initiated towards Anugulia.