Revenue dept silent over land encroached by Sree Metaliks

The state revenue department may be glib about its frantic efforts to free nearly 1,000 acres of encroached land in and around the city but it has ironically remained a mute bystander to forcible encroachment of 13.94 acres of Gochar land by an industrial unit in Keonjhar district since 2002.

The department is yet to initiate action against the errant firm- Sree Metaliks which has encroached 13.94 acres of Gochar land in Loidapada village with its inaction drawing the wrath of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

The Keonjhar district collector has raised grave concern over the encroachment, stating the company has used valuable government land for industrial purpose, deriving ancillary profit out of it. Besides, the lessee, has not deposited any government dues till date since the date of occupation of the land.

 

Stating that the lessee has failed to fulfill any of the terms and conditions of the lease sanction order, the district collector has stressed on taking appropriate action against the company by government.

Sree Metaliks has also objected to the premium assessment at the rate of Rs 5 lakh per acre and it has requested for concessional IPR (Industrial Policy Resolution) rate. The occupation of land by the company continues without payment of interest on ground rent and cess assessed for the period of unauthorized occupation prior to sanction of lease.

The Keonjhar collector has noted that the department of revenue and disaster management has given sufficient opportunity to the company by extending the validity of lease sanction order twice to comply with the terms and conditions of the sanction order.

Meanwhile, almost three years have lapsed and government has not granted any further extension since May 22, 2008. The lessee has failed to provide equal extent of suitable land to be reserved as 'Gochar' land in exchange of leased out Gochar land. The Keonjhar collector has urged the government against grant of any extension to the company.