Sambalpur: Government officials eyes on government land

Sambalpur: Some government officials have tried to seize the land identified by the government for the ambitious project. According to reports in the Takba mouza of Ward 37 of the Sambalpur Metropolitan Corporation, the state government has been searching for land for the construction of a sports complex a few years back. After a lengthy search, 23 government lands in the Takba mouza of the Sambalpur Metropolitan Corporation were identified. The land was proposed to be equipped with a sports hostel and various sports facilities. The construction of the sports complex in Takba is almost complete. But at the last minute it was transferred to Burla. It was later proposed to build a second central school here. However, the second Kendriya Vidyalaya was also built in Burla for the convenience of the people of Burla This valuable government land has been vacant since the relocation of two major projects to Takba from Burla. Some government officials have conspired to seize the land. With the construction of houses on that land more than 1 acre of land was recently plowed. Even after local villagers refused, the effect did not seen. Not only Takba, but also other parts of the city of Sambalpur are experiencing similar encroachments. The government officials are directly or indirectly involved or cooperating in this. The main culprits behind the looting of government land are those who are supposed to play a key role in protecting govt. property.

In Sambalpur, too, much land is being forcibly occupied. In many places, people are also building shops on roads, canals, etc. In some places, people are still living at home. Construction materials have been lying around for days, blocking the road. The metropolitan corporation has a special department to look into all this work. The officer in charge of that department is often busy with the work of the other department, leaving the work of his or her original department. The situation is such that without the advice of the concerned official, there is now talk in the city that almost no work is being done by the metropolitan corporation.