‘Is This Conscious DESIGN To Protect…’: Aparajita Sarangi Questions Inaction On Deras Canal Encroachment

Bhubaneswar: While alleging delay in demarcation of disputed land near Deras, removal of encroachment and clearing of blockage for water flow to the lands of farmers, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi on Tuesday asked if this was a “conscious design to protect the mighty?”

Taking to X, she mentioned about her first visit to Deras on August 21. Though a month has passed since, demarcation of 150 acres is yet be taken by the state government, she wrote, adding that the 100-metre stretch of the canal has also not been cleared. “Is this conscious DESIGN to protect the MIGHTY? Poor Farmers & ordinary people like us are WAITING.” she wrote.

Aparajita also shared a copy of the letters, which she again wrote to Khurda Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy and Chief Engineer of the Department of Irrigation, on September 25.

“I hope that immediate action will be taken for clearance of canal blockage as well as demarcation of around 150 acres of fenced land by the encroacher. I am here to extend all support to you in this endeavour in the interest of poor farmers and private plot holders,” she wrote to the collector.

The parliamentarian alleged that Tamil mining contractor B Prabhakaran, his wife Kiruthika Prabhakaran and their company, Triveni Group of Companies had grabbed lands illegally, affecting water flow in the canal.

“You are aware of the fact that Deras MIP Irrigation Canal has been blocked by Kiruthika Prabhakaran of Triveni Group of Companies. In the meantime, out of 1850 mtrs of the Canal, more than 1707 mtrs have been cleared. Farmers are happy. However, the balance of more than 100 mtrs has to be cleared by your office. Besides, there is some technical problem in Deras MIP distribution system, due to which the Water Flow in the cleared Canal is not adequate,” the letter to the Chief Engineer noted.

“The matter has been discussed with the Superintending Engineer, Irrigation and SDO, Irrigation who were present with me on the spot on September 23. In the presence of farmers, it was decided that the digging of a small portion of canal would be done on September 26. Besides, the technical problem resolution in Deras MIP will be done by September 30. Immediate action may please be taken to resolve the two issues keeping in view the interest of the poor farmers within the discussed time frame,” she added.

On September 12, Aparajita had sent a reminder to Khurda collector while continuing her fight against encroachment of the distribution canal of Deras minor irrigation project on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.

The MP further said she had drawn the attention of the chief minister to the matter on September 8, but there was no response. If the collector fails to take any action, the farmers and local residents will have to fight for themselves, she had added.

Earlier reacting to her allegations, BJD spokesperson Shrimayee Mishra had asked her not to link Kiruthika Prabhakaran with Odisha Chief Minister’s office. “Smt Aparajita Sarangi instead of linking Smt. Kiruthika Prabhakaran with CM Odisha, it would be better if she asks about the same relating to CM Maharashtra or Deputy CM Maharashtra,” Mishra said on X while sharing some pictures too.

Manas Mohapatra, lawyer of Kritika Prabhakaran, had also claimed that land purchases by his client were done in tune with law and served a legal notice on Aparajita.