Odisha land scam: Process to cancel lease rights over 21 acres of land initiated

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 28:

The process for the cancellation of lease deeds for the controversial 21 acres of land at Ghangapatna and its neighbouring villages Dasapur and Andharua, on the outskirts of Odisha’s capital city, has been initiated by the additional collector, Bhubaneswar, official sources said.

The additional collector, in a notice, has asked the concerned lease holders to appear at a hearing on October 31 to present their grievances and objections failing which the government would take possession of the lands.

It may be mentioned here that the state government had leased out the land to 21 landless benefiaciries of these aforesaid villages between 1960-61 and 1975 for farming purpose only. However, the leaseholders reportedly did not use the leased lands for any agricultural purpose.

“Since these beneficiaries have violated the lease norms, the government has decided to cancel the lease of these lands”, said a senior Revenue official.

He said the cancellation of the lease rights over these lands would be made on the basis of the report by the Khordha tehsildar on the present status of these lands as well as the genuineness of the grievances of the lease holders.

Sources in the Revenue department said the state government had provided one acre land on lease to Akrura Swain of Dasapur village in 1960-61, 18 acres to 18 persons of Ghangapatna village in 1966-67, one acre to Kulamani Samal of Andhrarua village in 1970 and one acre to Surendranath Sahu of Ghangapatna village in 1975.