Bhubaneswar: The Revenue & Disaster Management department emphasised optimal management of land resources and raised concerns on large-scale encroachments, in a high-level meeting today.

Odisha Government’s primary work is optimum management of land resources and allocation of adequate lands to development projects as well as different sectors of the economy. However, due to encroachment of government lands in both the urban and rural areas, at times, the smooth allocation of land for such purposes is impaired, a notification issued by the Department in this regard mentioned.

The opportunity cost of encroached government lands is unrealised in such cases. Moreover, concomitant litigation arising out of illegal encroachment remains a challenge to the State government.

In the circular issued to all District Collectors, the Department requested to make a realistic survey of rural and urban encroachments and remove them as per extant rules. Consequent upon removal of such encroachments, the District Collectors are to protect such government lands by suitably fencing them and conspicuously putting up display boards by utilising the funds received for the purpose.

In case of inadequacy of funds, the same may be communicated to this Department immediately. An action taken report (ATR) on the above must be sent to the Department on each fortnight in the enclosed proforma. This may be treated as ‘most urgent’, the official communiqué insisted.