Bhubaneswar: Amid demolition activity at the government quarters allotted to senior BJD leader and former Odisha MLA, senior officials of the General Administration (GA) department visited the house and inspected the site on Tuesday.
As per sources, at least three G A department officials visited the government quarters and inspected different structures inside the sprawling complex, where major demolition activities were underway.
The officials, who were accompanied by police personnel, went around the complex and examined different structures at the quarters allotted to Das, also a former Minister.
After inspecting the site, one of the officials told media that while the main building in the government quarters is intact, two other structures had been constructed on the premises.
Stating that these two structures were now being demolished, he said instruction was given to stop demolishing the structures further.
Official records will be verified to ascertain whether due permission had been obtained from the government for additional construction on the premises. Appropriate action will be initiated in case the construction was done without obtaining required permission from the government, the official said.
Notably, a wide range of speculations surfaced in political circles after reports of major demolition activity at the government quarters of Das appeared. At least 20 people were reportedly engaged in the demolition activity quarters of the BJD organisational secretary.
While many huge structures are being dismantled, it was initially not clear as to who was undertaking the demolition work at the sprawling complex located in the heart of the capital city.
Unconfirmed reports claimed that the building was renovated with an expenditure of a few crores.
It was claimed that the BJD heavyweight, widely known as ‘Bobby Das’, had illegally built wooden cottage, underground chamber on the premises.
However, it is not clear whether the huge amount of money was spent by the previous BJD government or Das himself. Sources said BJD leaders were holding important meetings at the building.
The BJD heavyweight contested the recent elections from Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency and was defeated by BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Following his defeat, the BJD leader may have to vacate the government quarters.
Now, questions are being raised about the legality of the highly expensive renovation work done in the government quarters. It is not known whether proper permission had been obtained for such construction work in an official residence.
Explaining the reason behind demolition, Pranab Prakash Das said that government quarters are returned in the same condition in which these are allotted.
He told media that a temporary extension had been built in the official residential complex to accommodate many BJD leaders and workers who were visiting him as he was the organisational secretary of the party.
The temporary structures need to be dismantled to bring the entire complex to the original shape at the time of allotment, he added.
However, the regional party came under severe attack from different quarters over the issue with BJP leaders seeking an explanation from BJD president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Senior BJP leader and spokesperson of the state party Sajjan Sharma in a post on social media said Naveen should answer as to what kind of activity was going on in the underground chamber at Bobby Das’ quarters and why the structures were now being demolished.
