BHUBANESWAR: Land, which the State Government wanted to acquire for a sub-minor canal project on the outskirts of the Capital, was sold out in no time and mutation carried out in a day. Startling, but it has come to the notice of Revenue and Disaster Management Department which has asked the Khurda Collector to conduct an inquiry. The Collector has been asked to find out whether the transactions have been done in accordance with law or not. The State Government had acquired two patches of land in Marichia and Jhinkardiha villages, close to the Kuakhai river, for Marichia sub-minor canal project. The Revenue Department acquired 6.92 acre in Marichia and another 2.03 acre in Jhinkardiha for the purpose. However, after a notification was issued under Section 6(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, the Department found out that some of the land-holders had sold out their land which was mutated in favour of the purchasers. Records show that at least 14 patches of land were sold off by the holders. The total land sold is measured at about 3.08 acre. The Department found out to its surprise that in most cases, the mutation and the conversion of transacted land had been done in a day by an additional tahasildar ranked officer. “The act has been done in haste knowingly with mala fide intention,” a Government note sheet said. The sub-minor project is in limbo because of such transaction although Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had assured that it would be completed at the earliest. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister SN Patro has asked the Khurda Collector to inquire and assess the factual position as to whether the registration of land, the mutation and the conversion have been done in conformity with law or in fraudulent manner. As per Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, the Government has to declare that land is required for a public purpose and a declaration be issued to that effect.
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