PARALAKHUMUNDI,(Tarini Prasad Panda):A large-scale land scam involving high-ranking government officials and political figures has come to light in Gajapati district, Odisha, sparking outrage among tribal communities and calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The epicenter of the controversy is Dr. Banjaree village, located under Naraharipur Mouza in Katalkaita village of Gosani Block, where approximately 47 acres of land, home to nearly 500 tribal residents, is allegedly being sold off at a fraction of its actual market value.
Official documents accessed by this reporter reveal that 3.829 decimals of land were recently sold at a government-assessed value of just ₹8.5 lakh, with a stamp duty of ₹34,000. However, the current market value of the same land is estimated at over ₹5 crore. Alarmingly, sources confirm that the land was sold for ₹2 crore, raising suspicions of a high-level fraud.
The land was reportedly sold by M. Chandrashekhar Rao to a woman residing in Brahmapur Sadar, Ganjam district. Insiders suggest this transaction was merely a “trial run” before attempting to sell the remaining 47 acres—valued at several hundred crores—if public reaction remained muted.
The land has deep historical and emotional significance for the tribal community. According to Gola Sabara, a ward member of Dr. Banjaree, the residents have lived there since before independence as sharecroppers (Bhaga Chasi) under M. Sathya Narayana, the original landowner.
“He donated the land to us under the Tenant Act and informed the Odisha government, which later developed the area with roads, schools, Anganwadi centers, and housing schemes,” Sabara explained. Over 100 homes have been built in the village under PM Awas Yojana and Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana.
Villagers recall Narayana with reverence. “Though he moved to Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, he often visited. We used to carry him on our shoulders in gratitude. He told us no one could take this land from us,” Sabara said.
Following Narayana’s death, several individuals have attempted to claim ownership of the land, but failed due to lack of legitimacy. Now, a man claiming to be Narayana’s son has surfaced and is allegedly behind the current transactions. Villagers remain skeptical of his identity and motives.
The villagers have demanded an immediate CBI inquiry into the scam. They allege collusion between senior bureaucrats, political leaders, and vested interests, aiming to exploit tribal communities for financial gain.
“This is an illegal attempt to displace us and loot our land. The government must intervene, or we will protest and seek legal recourse,” warned Sabara.
As the controversy deepens, public pressure is mounting on the Odisha state government and district administration to halt the sale, investigate the scam thoroughly, and uphold the land rights of tribal communities.
Paralakhemundi, Odisha: A large-scale land scam involving high-ranking government officials and political figures has come to light in Gajapati district, Odisha, sparking outrage among tribal communities and calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The epicenter of the controversy is Dr. Banjaree village, located under Naraharipur Mouza in Katalkaita village of Gosani Block, where approximately 47 acres of land, home to nearly 500 tribal residents, is allegedly being sold off at a fraction of its actual market value.
Official documents accessed by this reporter reveal that 3.829 decimals of land were recently sold at a government-assessed value of just ₹8.5 lakh, with a stamp duty of ₹34,000. However, the current market value of the same land is estimated at over ₹5 crore. Alarmingly, sources confirm that the land was sold for ₹2 crore, raising suspicions of a high-level fraud.
The land was reportedly sold by M. Chandrashekhar Rao to a woman residing in Brahmapur Sadar, Ganjam district. Insiders suggest this transaction was merely a “trial run” before attempting to sell the remaining 47 acres—valued at several hundred crores—if public reaction remained muted.
The land has deep historical and emotional significance for the tribal community. According to Gola Sabara, a ward member of Dr. Banjaree, the residents have lived there since before independence as sharecroppers (Bhaga Chasi) under M. Sathya Narayana, the original landowner.
“He donated the land to us under the Tenant Act and informed the Odisha government, which later developed the area with roads, schools, Anganwadi centers, and housing schemes,” Sabara explained. Over 100 homes have been built in the village under PM Awas Yojana and Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana.
Villagers recall Narayana with reverence. “Though he moved to Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, he often visited. We used to carry him on our shoulders in gratitude. He told us no one could take this land from us,” Sabara said.
Following Narayana’s death, several individuals have attempted to claim ownership of the land, but failed due to lack of legitimacy. Now, a man claiming to be Narayana’s son has surfaced and is allegedly behind the current transactions. Villagers remain skeptical of his identity and motives.
The villagers have demanded an immediate CBI inquiry into the scam. They allege collusion between senior bureaucrats, political leaders, and vested interests, aiming to exploit tribal communities for financial gain.
“This is an illegal attempt to displace us and loot our land. The government must intervene, or we will protest and seek legal recourse,” warned Sabara.
As the controversy deepens, public pressure is mounting on the Odisha state government and district administration to halt the sale, investigate the scam thoroughly, and uphold the land rights of tribal communities.
