BJP keeps pressure on govt over Puri land sale
BHUBANESWAR: The BJP continued to attack the state government for the sale of land attached to the Bagala Dharmasala in Puri.
Senior BJP leader Bijoy Mohapatra on Sunday sought a high-level probe into the matter and accused the Puri collector of carrying out an illegal act.
The state government has found itself in a spot following allegations that Puri collector Balwant Singh allegedly sold some plots of the Dharmasala to a few influential persons on the pretext of rehabilitating them. While the Puri administration claimed the plots were given under the government’s rehabilitation policy for those whose property was razed for a heritage project in the area, BJP has accused the government of a scam.
“The Bagala plots have been sold illegally, by misusing the government’s rehabilitation policy. The beneficiaries were not displaced persons. They had already availed themselves of financial compensation from the administration for demolition of their houses and lodges. The district collector abused his power. I doubt the chief minister is aware of the recent goings-on,” he told the media here.
Mohapatra said the chief minister should intervene in the matter personally.
While Puri collector Balwant Singh remained tight-lipped, the district administration on Sunday denied any wrongdoing or corruption.