KISS land grab row: Revenue department directed to conduct probe and submit report, says Minister Suresh Pujari

In a major development in the alleged land grab by Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), an institution owned by former BJD MP Achyuta Samanta, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said that the department has been asked to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter.

Earlier, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had directed the Khordha Collector and Odisha Chief Secretary to keep the diversion process of forest land in favour of the Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS) in abeyance.

In response to the land row, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said that the Revenue Department has been directed to initiate an inquiry and submit a detailed report into the matter. The Minister further said that appropriate action will be taken over the matter after the submission of the report by the Revenue Department.

“In 2020, the then government accepted the in-principle proposal. As per the provision, the land could neither be handed over nor its category be converted. The proposal for land use proposal is still pending with the Khordha Collector. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram has also written a letter to the Khordha Collector in this regard. An investigation into the matter has been launched,” said Pujari.

“I have also directed the Revenue Department to conduct an inquiry and submit a detailed report into the matter. The exact truth behind the matter will be revealed and the government will decide about appropriate action only after the facts emerge,” he added.

Notably, in a letter on June 21, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram directed the Khordha Collector and Odisha Chief Secretary to keep the entire process in abeyance.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has also separately sought clarifications from the State government on the matter.

“Complaints have been received about proper compliance with the Forest Rights Act (FRA) while processing the proposal. It is understood that you have initiated the process to hand over the aforesaid revenue forest land to the Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS). You are advised to keep the process in abeyance till the required clarification is received in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and formal clearance is issued in the matter,” the letter read.

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