Bhubaneswar: The state govt has planned to launch a statewide drive to identify govt land lying unutilised or being used for unauthorised purposes, directing all district collectors to review thousands of acres allotted to departments, institutions, organisations and private beneficiaries over the years and, wherever required, initiate action for reclaiming the plots.In a letter issued to all collectors, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, additional chief secretary of the revenue and disaster management department, said the exercise has become necessary in view of the growing scarcity of suitable govt land for developmental and welfare projects and reports that many allotted plots are either lying vacant or are being misused.Officials have been directed to specifically identify cases where leased govt land has remained wholly or partially unutilised for more than three years from the date of settlement or is being used for activities other than the purpose for which it was allotted. Such cases could attract action under provisions of the Orissa Government Land Settlement Rules, 1983.“Govt land is a valuable public resource and should not be allowed to remain idle or under unauthorised occupation,” Padhee said, warning revenue officials against succumbing to pressure from influential individuals or organisations. He added that any collusion with vested interests would invite stringent disciplinary and criminal action.The letter notes that advance possession granted to various govt departments has remained unregularised in several instances for years, while updated information regarding utilisation of land under permissive possession is also unavailable in many cases. Collectors have been asked to undertake immediate field verification of these lands.The state govt has also sought a review of land allotted to state departments. Revenue authorities have been asked to identify parcels that are no longer required for their intended purpose and initiate proposals for relinquishment so that such land can be restored to the revenue department and utilised for other public purposes.
