Bhubaneswar: Amidst allegations of irregularities in the land allotment for the BJD’s party office ‘Sankha Bhawan’ in Bhubaneswar, the BJP-led state government announced that it will conduct a thorough probe into the issue.
Responding to the queries of media persons, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari stated that the allegations of irregularities in the land allotment for the Biju Janata Dal office will be thoroughly investigated. He added that after the probe’s findings, necessary actions will be implemented, and if any misconduct is uncovered, those responsible will face action.
“During the previous government’s tenure, ‘Officer Raj’ prevailed, and they acted at will. Those who have deliberately erred and compromised Odisha’s interests will be held accountable soon,” Pujari stated.
The BJD party headquarters, Sankha Bhawan, is under scrutiny over allegations that it was constructed illegally by altering the land category designated for public use. The opulent BJD office is reportedly built on four plots, with one classified as ‘Sadaka/Road’ for public use. However, accusations suggest the ‘Sadak’ plot was illicitly converted into a ‘gharabari’ plot.
Countering the allegations, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The construction of the building was for institutional purposes, and all legal requirements were met in setting the proper benchmark value. The presence of quarters is separated by a bylane, which is not a public road. The Minister has been misinformed, leading to misleading allegations that are without merit”.
BJD’s organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, in an ‘X’ post, wrote: “No irregularities exist in the lease deed or the construction of Sankha Bhawan. It seems the Revenue Minister is unaware that the land was allocated to the BJP party office following a High Power Committee decision, which also provided land for the BJD state office. The BJD secured the land allotment by adhering to the rules and government instructions. There was no deviation from the process. Unfortunately, without full knowledge, Minister Pujari made an offhand statement to the media. BJD has carried out all activities transparently, in accordance with government decisions.”
The BJD stated that the land allocation for its party headquarters in Ganga Nagar complied with the benchmark value norms and a sum of Rs 13 crore was disbursed for it. BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty, in a statement, asserted that the land was allocated following the rules. He elaborated that the BJD received 1 acre and 183 decimals of land, while the BJP was granted a plot of 1 acre and 269 decimals at Kharavel Nagar in the state’s capital. He claimed that, according to the records, the conservancy lane situated between two quarters was not designated as a public road.
