Forest land misuse: Joint probe by revenue, forest depts ordered

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Bhubaneswar: As suspense continues over the mysterious road construction on Ghangapatana forest land, the State government on Friday ordered for a joint investigation by revenue and forest department.

Even after four days of inspection into the construction of road on forest land on the outskirts of the city, any department of the State government or any individual involved in the construction is yet to be known.

“I have requested for a joint verification by both revenue and forest departments. All sorts of action will be taken after the report came”, Revenue minister Bijayashree Routray said. The minister promised for action on the basis of the probe report.

On the other hand, the DFO wrote to the Khurdha collector and Bhubaneswar Tehsildar asking them for a joint verification and demarcation to the controversial road to find out the type of land whether it is hilly or barren land.

The DFO will apprise the government after the Collector, BDO and Tehsildar produced report in this regard.

Earlier, Rural Development minister Badri Narayan Patro confirmed that particularly this road construction is not coming under his department. It is also neither constructed in village forest nor reserve forest area, Patro said, adding village meeting (palli sabha) over the road construction was convened. However, Panchayati raj department declined to comment on the gram sabha issue.

On the other hand, MLA Pranab Balabantray who allegedly registered land patta in his name in Ghangapatana area, denied any links with the road construction issue.

He said “The Gokarneswar charitable trust had purchased 5 acres and 240 decimil lands in 2009-10 for establishment of educational institutes. However, the lands were sold in 2012 after these were proved unfit for the purpose. But, it is not displayed in tehsil record as its mutation was not done after selling", I am ignorant about the construction of road.