Real estate business was hit due to the meltdown but kith and kin of the "high and mighty" here who have managed to grab vast acres of prime land remain unaffected, allege realtors.
A section of the builders and trade circles here have started talking about how hundreds of acres have been allotted at less than its market price to influential people including politicians and bureaucrats.
"Check areas near Chandaka and you will find gross violation of allotment norms and property in the name of such people," said a real estate agent. He was referring to allegations that industrial or commercial plots were being used for residential purposes.
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There are cases where land allotted by the Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) have not been used to set up any industry, but are being retained.
Allegations are that some people have grabbed more than three such plots ~ all in different names and have even constructed residential houses.
Educational institutions have developed another practice ~ they encroach upon vacant lands next to their allotted plot and subsequently "regularise" such encroachments.
Congress legislator Mr LB Mohapatra said that he has been seeking details of allotments, payments, etc as far as Idco land is concerned but the government officials keep on saying that the information is under collection. Names of several ruling party politicians and bureaucrats are doing the rounds as far as this land grab allegation is concerned.
It may be noted that the sensational judo coach Biranchi Das murder case had also thrown light on land mafias. Police initially started investigations and was looking at land allotment records. |
