Balasore: Bhograi legislator Ananta Das, a resident of Padhuanpada in Balasore town, who was in the news last year for opposing a Defence Ministry road construction, has once again hogged headlines for a land grab controversy.
The legislator in his nomination papers for 2019 general elections had stated on affidavit that he has been residing in a residence built over two plots of land – 458/985 and 2024/2908 in Balasore. However, there were allegations that the Bhograi legislator had occupied two more plots – 457/991 and 457/954 under Khata 387 – in addition to the declared assets.
The two plots in question are stated to be government ‘’wasteland’’ over which Das is alleged to have built a house.
Several people are reported to have complained to Sadar Tehsildar in this regard, but to no avail. A petition has been filed with Balasore District Magistrate on September 6, 2019 in this regard but no action seems to have followed so far.
In response to a petition filed with the Orissa High Court in this connection, vacation Judge K R Mohapatra has directed the petitioner to file a fresh plea to the Tehsildar within 15 days.
The High Court has also directed the Tehsildar to inquire into the land grab allegation within four weeks and evict the encroacher, if there is any unauthorised occupation on the government land.
