Alleging a massive land scam in Deras area under the direct patronage of the Odisha government, Bhubaneswar MP and senior BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi led a massive public rally in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
As per the allegation by Sarangi, more than 150 acres of land have been encroached near Deras dam and the irrigation canal lying in the encroached land has been buried. As a result, the farmers of the area have been deprived of getting even a drop of water for the last two years, she alleged.
“I had written two letters to the Chief Minister to unblock encroachment from 150 acres of land near Deras dam. However, I did not get any reply. He must not have read the letters. I also wrote letters to five district administrations in this regard, but didn’t get any reply as well,” said Sarangi while addressing a meeting.
“We want the demarcation of the 150 acres of the encroached land. The owner of the land should take possession of it. The State government is boasting itself to be a transparent government. However, the government is not supporting the poor farmers. The encroached land at Deras is an example of it. The gate constructed at the encroached land is a symbol of the insensitivity of the government. I have always urged the Chief Minister to perform his ‘Raja Dharma’ for the betterment of people. However, he has completely failed to perform his duties and responsibilities,” she added.
“Some non-Odia officials are taking away our livelihoods. It is happening regularly, but we should not be harassed by it. It is a monumental failure of the government. Instead of supporting the poor farmers and the land owners, the government is supporting money and mafias. The State government is hell-bent on saving an influential Tamil woman which is not at all acceptable,” she further added.