TV
While renting a house in the state capital, Bhubaneswar, has become increasingly unaffordable for the common man, government quarters in VIP areas here are reportedly being illegally occupied or rented out, sparking serious concerns over misuse of public resources.
In the heart of the town, several Odisha government quarters—meant for officials—have been taken over either forcibly or are being sublet illegally.
A glaring example is a hotel operating on the Rajmahal to Master Canteen stretch, where government-provided space has been converted into a commercial shop. Shockingly, the quarters behind the shop have also been encroached upon and turned into a kitchen.
“The government has provided a vending zone, but it does not have a water and drainage facility. As the quarters is lying vacant, we are using at as a kitchen,” said the owner of the hotel.
Quarters Turn Into Factory
Similarly, quarter number VA 25/3, for instance, has been turned into a private warehouse for construction materials like cement and rods. Liquor bottles—both Indian and foreign—are seen stacked inside. Sources say a powerful individual has allegedly set up a workshop inside the premises, manufacturing manhole covers and selling them back to the government.
“Subas Babu is the supervisor of the unit. Though we know this property belongs to the government, we four people are living here and working in the unit,” said a worker.
Similarly, quarter number VA 23/4, originally allocated to the Hind Mazdoor Sangh office, is now fully occupied by a woman who uses the space to sell leaf plates and other items. She has allegedly encroached on the entire premises.
Startling Data
As per reports, out of 765 government quarters in the area, 250 lie vacant, and more than a hundred are under illegal occupation. Local sources allege that influential individuals have seized these high-profile government accommodations and are running their own businesses or staying there rent-free.
Despite these alarming developments, no official response has been received from the concerned authorities so far.
