ପାରଳାଖେମୁଣ୍ଡି,(Tarini Prasad Panda):
A major land scam involving top government officials and political figures has sparked outrage in Gajapati district, Odisha, with tribal communities demanding a CBI probe. The controversy centers on Doctor Banjaree village under Naraharipur Mouza in Gosani Block, where 47 acres of tribal land—home to nearly 500 residents—are allegedly being sold at a fraction of their real market value.
Official records show that 3.829 decimals of land were sold for ₹8.5 lakh, though the current market value exceeds ₹5 crore. Sources allege the land was actually sold for ₹2 crore, raising suspicion of high-level fraud. The seller, M. Chandrashekhar Rao, reportedly transferred the land to a Ganjam-based woman, possibly as a “trial run” for the remaining land worth hundreds of crores.
The land holds historical importance for the tribal community, settled since pre-independence as sharecroppers under the late M. Sathya Narayana, who donated the land under the Tenant Act. Now, a man claiming to be Narayana’s son is behind the controversial sale, triggering deep distrust.
Villagers demand urgent government intervention, alleging collusion to displace them. They warn of protests if their land rights are not protected, intensifying pressure on the state administration.
