Separate cell for allotment of Bhoodan land

The Orissa government has decided to constitute separate cell in the offices of the District Collectors for allotment of land belonging to the Bhoodan Yagna Samiti (BJS).

The proposed cell would identify and prepare a list of eligible beneficiaries for the purpose.

Besides, the central office of the Samiti would be strengthened with a senior officer of the OAS cadre being put in charge of the office. This was decided in a high level meeting chaired by the state revenue and disaster management minister, Surya Narayan Patro in the state secretariat today. Briefing the media after the meeting, Patro said, about 6,38,706.5 acres of land were donated to BJS in the state. Out of it, 5,79,984.21 acres have been distributed to the beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the government is seriously considering to hand over the probe into illegal sale of Bhoodan land measuring 171 acres near Orissa Engineering College (OEC) in the city to the Crime Branch. The revenue department would seek the approval of the chief minister in this regard.

Patro said, revenue department has already filed First Information Report (FIR) against the persons involved in the illegal sale of Bhoodan land in Pipli tehsil and the accused are absconding. The constructions on this land have been destroyed by the Khurda collector. It may be noted, a major portion of the un-distributed Bhoodan land lie in the tribal districts.