Bhubaneswar: Sankha Bhawan, the party head office of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Bhubaneswar, has allegedly been built on a patch of land by changing its status (Kisam) from ‘road’ to ‘gharabari’. However, Odisha government will probe into the allegation, said Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Kumar Pujari in a reply to mediapersons today.

“Probes will certainly be launched into mistakes (of the previous BJD government) which put Odisha in embarrassing situations, caused the State lose revenue, and affected poor people as well. Actions will also be initiated against those who would be found guilty,” the Revenue Minister stated.

“An ‘officer raj’ was prevailing then and they (some bureaucrats) were getting the things done as they wished. All the mistakes knowingly committed, and which resulted in a loss to Odisha, will be probed. There is no doubt about it,” Revenue Minister Pujari asserted.

It is pertinent to mention, Sankha Bhawan has been built on a large patch of land including four plots and measuring a total of around 1 acre 183 decimals .

Land status of the first three plots is ‘gharabari’ and land status of the fourth one is ‘road’ (meant for lone use by public). The plot No-798 (part) was given to then ruling BJD by the General Administration department on lease with the condition that its land status is not subject to change and hence cannot be changed, which has clearly been mentioned in the Lease Deed.

Moreover, the valuation of the four plots in the open market at that time is said to be over Rs 100 Crore. The plots were allegedly leased out at a throwaway price of Rs 12,93,92,123 only (below the prescribed benchmark).