‘Controversial’ Balle Balle Dhaba In Odisha’s Dharmasala Sealed

Bhubaneswar: The Jajpur administration on Tuesday sealed Balle Balle Dhaba, which had been in the eye of the storm for the past few days.

On the direction of Dharmasala BDO Debendra Prasad Bal, junior engineer Ratnakar Sahu along with four other employees visited the complex and sealed all three entry points to the eatery. A notice to vacate it in 3 days was issued on June 28, sources said.

The administration took the step after newly-elected Dharmasala MLA Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo found irregularities in the functioning of the dhaba during a review of block development works recently.

While the restaurant was reportedly run by an actress-turned-BJD leader, it was alleged that former BJD MLA from Dharmasala Pranab Balabantaray was managing the show from behind the scenes. It was also alleged that the dhaba was illegally constructed on the premises of Dharmasala Bhawan, which was built to host cultural and social functions of the local people. MPLAD and MLALAD funds were also allegedly pumped into this dhaba. And the rent for organising a marriage function had gone up from Rs 4,000 to Rs 65,000 which was beyond affordability of common people.

The bhawan too is shrouded in controversy, having been built on a ‘gochar’ (pasture) land. The block administration has also mentioned nothing about the owner of the dhaba though one Akhaya Nayak of Bhawanipur village is said to have taken it on lease from the Panchayat Samiti.

One the other hand, locals alleged that building, which was operating as dhaba in the day time, was converted into a place of entertainment for BJD leaders and ministers at night. Many girls from outside have reportedly been found staying in the rooms above the dhaba.

While neither Balabantaray nor the woman BJD leader has issued any statement on the matter, a high-level investigation has been demanded to unravel the truth.