Odisha’s Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra appears to be entangled in a fresh controversy over a land deal. Ever since the formation of the BJP government in the state last year, he has been in the news for making controversial statements, be it purchase of potatoes or paddy procurement. Recently, a man was arrested after Patra lodged a police complaint accusing him of having cheated him in a land fraud. However, a controversy has now arisen over the amount of money paid by Patra to the man as advance for the land purchase. It is pointed out that the information given by the Minister about his assets in the election affidavit does not match the amount cited for the land deal. Observers wonder whether the Minister will be caught.
What is the land fraud case?
In 2021, Patra gave an advance of Rs 25 lakh to Niranjan Satapathy of Banasing village for the purchse of land measuring 82 acres at in Chauliya Khamar in Dhenkanal district, Niranjan convinced Patra by showing land documents. However, it was later alleged that the land could not be registered as it was illegal. As the deal did not materialise, Patra sought his advance money back. However, Niranjan did not return the money. The Minister then lodged a complaint at Dhenkanal Town Police Station on July 26 and Niranjan was arrested.
Why trouble mounts for Minister Patra?
Although the arrest was made in the land fraud case, Patra’s trouble has increased because of the information furnished by him in the election affidavit. During the 2024 elections, Patra stated in his affidavit that he had a total of Rs 7,35,890 in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Meanwhile, the FIR copy says that he paid Rs 25 lakh to Niranjan in 2021. Now, the question arises if the information furnished in the affidavit is true, where did the Minister get Rs 25 lakh from? If the allegation of fraud is true, then did Patra give false information in the affidavit?
Will there be action?
Minister Patra had previously put the state government in an awkward situation over issues like paddy procurement and potato import. But now the allegation is about false affidavit. The opposition parties have demanded that the government take it seriously. Because a minister gave four times more money to buy land than the amount cited in his election affidavit. The Minister should explain about the source of the Rs 25 lakh. Such allegations are an onslught on free and fair elections. Therefore, there are demands for his dismissal from the ministry. Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has come down heavily on Patra, calling him incompetent and inefficient. The regional party wants the Chief Minister to take action against Patra. Meanwhile, Minister Patra has stated that this is an old case and a personal matter.
Krushna Patra in controversy before
Controversy is not new for Patra. Farmers have vented their displeasure with the government over several issues during procurement of paddy. Instead of getting praise for increasing the price of paddy, the government has drawn criticism. The opposition also got a chance to criticise. Even when the price of potatoes increased, Patra came sparked controversy for his statement. Last year, during the potato crisis, West Bengal stopped supply. Patra had stated that Odisha would not approach Mamata Banerjee for potatoes. But now he says that the state’s needs will be met if potato comes from Bengal. He has taken a U-turn and given the opposition another opportunity to criticise the government. But now the truth is out. So the question arises, whether the Minister will face an investigation. What will happen if the allegations are proven true? Will action be taken against Patra? Will he lose his ministerial post over the controversy?
