Return land or pay eviction charges, Odisha govt's strict warning to encroachers

In a decisive move aimed at tightening illegal land encroachment across Odisha, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday issued a strong warning to influential land encroachers, urging them to vacate government land immediately or face strict action. 

Addressing officials during a departmental review, the Minister said there is still time for encroachers to return the land voluntarily, but those who defy the directive will not only be evicted but will also have to bear the full cost of the eviction process. 

The government has made it clear that the expenses incurred in clearing illegal occupations will be recovered directly from the encroachers.

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To ensure transparency and accountability, the Revenue Department has instructed all Tehsildars to prepare a comprehensive database of encroached land across all 320 tehsils of the state. This database will include detailed information on industrial land, revenue land, government-owned plots, and areas currently under illegal possession. The Minister emphasized that a clear picture of land usage is essential for effective administration and planning.

The government also announced a humanitarian provision for the landless poor, stating that those who had encroached on land purely out of necessity would be allotted 4 decimals of land. However, this consideration will not apply to influential individuals or groups who have encroached upon land for personal gain.

Reiterating the government’s firm stance, the Minister warned that any obstruction to land regulation efforts will invite immediate action. He added that maintaining land balance and ensuring the rightful use of government property is crucial for development, and violators will face strict consequences.