Sarua land issue: Villagers demand land back after selling

The villagers of Sarua under Begunia Tehsil in Khordha district who sold their lands eight years ago to Odisha Infratech Private Limited, a company associated with OTV Network, are demanding their lands back alleging that it was purchased at throwaway prices. 

The villagers on Friday came to the Collector’s office and in his absence, handed over a memorandum to the ADM.    

“OTV had purchased our lands at throwaway prices. We had urged the government to return our lands back. The government had also assured us that we would get back our lands. So, today we came to meet the Collector,” said Sanatan Pahadsingh, a Sarua villager. 

When contacted, Khordha ADM, Pratap Chandra Beura said, “Since the deal was registered, returning the purchased land will be a bit difficult legally. We will examine it and take steps accordingly.”

Odisha Infratech Private Limited clarified that "The persons demanding the lands back are habitual nuisance mongers. Some of them were engaged as contractors with us. Whenever they find nothing, they start demanding their lands back. Every year prices of land are increasing, and 10 years have passed, hence rise in prices is natural."