Cuttack/Puri: The Orissa High Court on Thursday ordered Puri collector to identify and distribute undisputed land plots within six weeks to the seven families of Baseli Sahi, who were evicted by the district authorities during the process of making way for the Lord Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project.
In view of the grievances of the petitioners, the HC has ordered Puri Collector to resolve the issue and allot the evictees litigation free land for their residential purpose in accordance with law.
It is pertinent to mention that, seven families of Baseli Sahi in the pilgrim town were evicted by the district authorities to make way for the Lord Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project to beautify the pilgrim city.
Govt of Odisha had declared that the persons who lose their lands and buildings for the envisaged demolition of structures within 75 metres radius would get compensation and alternative land for the purpose as per the scheme.
In case of these 7 families from Baseli Sahi, the authorities had vacated their house allegedly without allotting alternative dwelling plots, after which the petitioners filed a complaint.
Following the eviction, the administration granted plots of around 1000 square feet to each family in Mangala Ghat mouza. But, later it was found that the lands were private property.
The authorities had demolished the residential houses of the families after registration of the sale deeds without mutation, issuance of ROR and without handing over the peaceful physical possession of the land. After protests by the petitioners, on September 8, the administration handed over the RORs to the petitioners but they were obstructed from starting construction works on the land.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)