Bhubaneswar, (Reporters Pen): Former MP and senior BJP leader Amar Patnaik on Thursday accused the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government of large-scale irregularities in the allotment and utilisation of government land, citing the latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Odisha Assembly.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik said the CAG report, which examined eight of Odisha’s 30 districts on a sample basis, had highlighted alleged irregularities in several sectors, including land, mining, drinking water, education, health and forest land.
Patnaik alleged that government land had been allotted to certain institutions, individuals and companies at prices substantially below market rates, while prescribed guidelines, auction procedures and transparency norms were allegedly ignored. He claimed that the failure to auction land at appropriate prices had caused losses of hundreds of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
He said government land belonged to the people and that the government was merely its trustee. According to him, land is allotted through IDCO or the Revenue Department for industrial and other public purposes, with conditions attached to its utilisation. He alleged that during the previous BJD regime, these conditions were not properly enforced and, in several cases, no clear deadline was specified for completion of projects.
Patnaik further claimed that despite repeated warnings from the CAG in earlier years, adequate corrective action was not taken. He alleged that land allotted for specific purposes was subsequently used for other commercial activities.
50,231 acres allotted in eight districts
According to figures cited by Patnaik from the CAG report, around 50,231 acres of land had been allotted across eight districts by March 2024. He also claimed that of the 7,102 acres acquired from private landowners, including poor people, by 2018, nearly 99 per cent remained unused.
Referring to the proposed Shamuka Beach project in Puri, Patnaik said 1,615 acres had been acquired for the project, but alleged that no significant development had taken place there for nearly 18 years.
He also alleged that the previous government did not maintain an adequate database showing how much land was allotted, to whom, when and for what purpose.
Patnaik claimed that land worth nearly Rs 600 crore, covering around 668 acres in the Bhubaneswar-Puri region, remained under illegal occupation, including about 180 acres of forest land. He also alleged irregular conversion of agricultural land and manipulation of land acquisition in environmentally sensitive and heritage areas.
Industrial land utilisation questioned
Patnaik further cited figures relating to industrial land. He said 5,791 acres had been provided for industrial areas and IT parks up to 2018, while 2,884 industrial units had been allotted around 3,706 acres. He claimed that 1,142 acres had not yet been handed over for utilisation.
He also alleged that 971 industrial units occupying around 994 acres had remained closed. In addition, he claimed that 67 acres out of land allotted in Chandaka, Rasulgarh and Mancheswar areas were under encroachment.
Patnaik said the BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had begun the process of cancelling irregular allotments and bringing such land back under government control.
Questions over DMF funds
The BJP leader also raised allegations concerning the utilisation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.
He claimed that the CAG audit had found expenditure of around Rs 983 crore in 976 non-mining villages across eight districts, while 584 mining-affected villages allegedly received no expenditure from the fund. He cited expenditure on projects including a hockey stadium, a wholesale market in Jajpur, Mission Shakti cafes, honey production and installation of light posts as examples of alleged diversion or irregular utilisation of DMF funds.
Patnaik questioned why penalties were not recovered from companies or individuals responsible for alleged violations and why action was not taken against those involved.
State BJP spokesperson Rajendra Panda and senior leader Gautam Ray were also present at the press conference.
