Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has directed district administrations to identify and evict illegal encroachers from government land. Emphasising the importance of land for public use and development, Majhi stated that squatters must be removed promptly. Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari clarified that the initiative will only target powerful land grabbers and not the landless poor. The reclaimed land will be used for public utilities and development projects. District collectors have been instructed to survey the encroachments and report back. The eviction drive will prioritise the most influential land grabbers, particularly in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, where extensive illegal occupations have been reported.
In Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has instructed local officials to take action against land encroachers illegally occupying government land. He emphasised that government land is intended for public use and development projects. According to a statement from the Chief Minister's office, Majhi expressed concerns about squatters causing disruptions and urged their swift removal. The directive to district administrations includes evicting encroachers promptly, fencing reclaimed land, and installing signs in both rural and urban areas.
Suresh Pujari, the Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, clarified that the government's efforts target those individuals who have illegally seized government land using money and influence. He explained that the initiative aims to reclaim land for public and development purposes, distinguishing it from efforts to assist landless individuals with legitimate housing needs.
Pujari stressed the importance of clearing illegal occupants to ensure smooth execution of development projects. He noted that the eviction process will prioritise influential and powerful land grabbers, with the reclaimed land earmarked for community purposes, housing for the landless, and other developmental projects. Earlier, Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, had urged district collectors to conduct surveys and submit reports on encroachments. This followed concerns raised in a meeting about widespread illegal occupation of land hindering development plans.
Government sources highlighted a particular focus on urban areas like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, where significant amounts of government land have been illegally seized. Though precise figures await a new survey, estimates suggest that more than 50,000 acres statewide may be affected. The government's proactive approach to reclaiming and securing public land points to its commitment to fair governance and sustainable development across Odisha. The ongoing land reclamation efforts will be crucial in safeguarding public interests and ensuring equitable access to resources as these measures begin being implemented.
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