Proceedings of State Convention on Land Scam in Odisha

Venue: Lohiya Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, Date : 16.8.2014, Time- 04:00PM to 06:30 PM

Introduction
The Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG), Govt. of India has produced three volumes of
Performance Audit Report ( General and Social Sector) on the allotment of Government land by Dept. of
GA, and such agencies of the Government as IDCO, CDA and BDA to different categories of people and
Institutions during the period 2000-2012. This report has exposed in graphic details the instances of
corruption, irregularities, undue favour, violation of law and arbitrariness in respect of allotment of
Government land to the Individuals, Private Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Hotels among
others. The CAG has also pointed out a systemic failure as evident from callousness and inefficiency
along with complicity of the administration, which has resulted in revenue loss to the State exchequer
amounting to a staggering sum of thousands of crore rupees. The CAG Expose is just a tip of the iceberg
as its audit was limited to only a few Test cases. With undeniable proofs and evidences, it has also
brought to the limelight how a dubious nexus among the vested interests of the politicians, bureaucrats
and business class has been systematically working to loot and plunder the public wealth of Odisha. In
quite many cases, Ministers, MLAS and Officers were not only involved in amassing huge fortunes for
themselves by corrupt means, but also served as masterminds for allotting prized lands to private
companies and institutions at throw-away price. As a part of their machinations, they didnt make any
revision of premium amount for the land price that was fixed 11 years back and thus deliberately kept it
much lower than the present value of the land so as to please the the allottees of their choice, possibly
in lieu of some kickbacks. No wonder that quite some Ministers, MLAs and Officers themselves have
grabbed two to three plots each under the cover of this or that land allotment scheme including the
provision of so-called Discretionary Quota. This CBI expose has generated a lot of public reaction
demanding CBI inquiry into the land scam in the state.

In view of open loot of the public property by the elected government surmounting to open
disregard to the electoral mandate and clear incompetency to lack of intent to honour the law, the civil
society body of Odisha not only reacted strongly but took to come together at Lohiya Bhawan,
Bhubaneswar on 16.8.14 to debate and discourse on the issue and to chalk out action strategy to fight
it out. The Convention was collectively organised by Odisha Durniti Sangharsh Manch, Odisha
Suchana Adhikaar Abhijaan, India Against Corruption - Odisha, Jatiya Dalit Mahasangha (Odisha),
Odisha Nagarika Samaj, State's Progressive Women's forum, Naba Nirmaan Samiti, Proutist
Universal, Odisha Jana Adhikaar Parishad, Milita Odisha Nisha Nibaarana Abhijaan.

Proceedings of the meeting
The Meeting started with Shri Umashankar Mishra, Retd Judge and Civil right activist presiding over
the meeting. The eminent speakers on the dais were Shri Panchanan Kanungo, former Minister, Shri
Khirod Rout, Advocate, Odisha High Court, Sri Rabi Das, Senior Journalist, Shri Satya Prakash Nayak,
Resident Editor, Z Kalinga.
On request from Chair, Shri Pradip Pradhan, eminent RTI Activist and State Convener, Odisha
Soochana Adhikar Abhijan ( OSAA) started delivering introductory remarks with an energising
welcome speech to all the participants. He highlighted how the Land Scam is depriving the needy of a
place in the state to call it their home. He said that GA Plots are by law directly under the authority of
Honorary Chief Minister for allocation. It has been observed that this scarce urban resource of land has
been given away to private institutions at throw away price.

Citing a name of a Hospital which has been figured in the CAG Report, he said that though 10 acres of
land was allotted to that Hospital few years ago, no hospital has been set up till yet. However, when
the Hospitals are opened, they are not adhering to the Supreme Court Judgement on discounted land to
offer 25% Outdoor and 10% indoor free treatment disease category wise. He further educated the hall
that the Govt. has flouted allotment procedure and allotted land to influential people by ignoring
recommendation of Site Selection Committee, Inspection report of R.I. and so on. The decision taken
for granting concession to the private organisation while allotting land is arbitrary, says CAG in its
report.
Forest Lands has been allotted to profit making institutions like Mayfair, CYSD and KIIT. Even ITC Hotels
received land at nominal price. For example, Asian Hospital and Research Center has received 10.6
Acres . This institution never exists nor is any organisation registered in this name. Profit Making
Educational Institution like DAV School, Kalinga Nagar and Gurukool also received such Lands. Section 3
of Odisha State Land Settlement Act states that the rates of land must be fixed at the market value. KIIT
has around 18.86 Acre of land encroached which is of worth 94 Crores Rupees. Odisha Vigilance is also
not doing it job as Crime Branch Head Shri P K Sharma is beneficiary and hence has a conflict of interest
to uphold the law.

Following the Shri Pradip Pradhans opening remark on the depth of this corruption in Land Allotment,
Former Housing Board Director Shri Rabi Das took to the dias to address the gathering. He informed
the conference that there is no policy for distribution of government land and that it is done purely at
the arbitrary and discretion of CM. He highlighted of the notification where Government Land is to be
allotted to the Landless only.
He highlighted how Supreme Court had to intervene to give a judgement to ensure 10% Indoor Patient
and 25% outdoor patient to receive free medical service disease wise for medical receiving discounted
lands. Disappointingly, he remembered, how the health department itself wasnt aware of this
judgement. He brought to light how Swosti Hotel, a profit making institution, received extra 2 acres of
land for purpose of Staff Quarters where now stands a palatial house where the owner of the hotel now
dwell.
In another revelation, he share the Orissa Electronic Corporation (OEC) had received a government land
but later the institution had shutdown subsequent to which , the land, instead of coming back to
government, got sold to a private hotel in record one day from date of request. The hotel however
never was built and subsequently the land was sold once again.

Shri Rabi Dash sincerely appealed to have the GA/BDA/CDA/IDCO allotments since 1980 be investigated
by an Independent SIT or CBI to unearth the truth and law be upheld.

Following to Shri Rabi Dash, Eminent Journalist currently associate with Zee Kalinga Shri Satya
Prakash Nayak took to the dias. He opened the discussion with a very electrifying message on how the
Devil lies in the details. He spoke in disappointing note that how the Media in Odisha is silent to this
major scam obviously due to conflict of interest. He highlighted that this scam could be a scam bigger
than Mining Scam itself. He appreciated Tushar Bhai is worth appreciation for doing his bit in printing
and distributing awareness material.
He expressed his displeasure and said Why are not newspapers doing their job and Why RTI is to be
filled to unearth such corruption ?? Why is Government not making this information relating to
allotment of government land free for open scrutiny? He brought to the gathering how media persons
had received quarters just before elections. He also highlighted the crony media and applying negative
pressures by people like Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik from Sambad. He recollects how pressure comes in
honest journalism. Kalpataru Das and other indirectly threatening him stating " will you be all times in Z
Kalinga.
He highlighted as to what were the reasons for going overboard to provide land to Unitech. He
commented that our CM is very eager to write to PM on demanding mineral rent to state but what
about the cost to the ex-chequer in case of loss due to arbitrary distribution of government property??
He was filled with emotion to ask as to why our CM is hesitant to come face to face with media !!! He
recollects how he was once pushed by the PRO of CM causing him to almost fall down. He was candid to
state that he would have understood if it was CMs security but why PRO acting like this.

He adds that one of the High Court judge requested for a land and received just like that. Going forward,
he sold the land in 2 yrs. What was this !!! A kick back !!! Shri Prakash Mishra, ADG similarly received
land which he sold in 3 yrs.

Joining in the discussion, Shri Panchanan Kanungo, former Minister highlighted how he started
engaging RTI activist and supporting them to unearth truth and uphold law. He was candid to inform the
gathering about how a certain PIL was filed and later withdrawn after a piece of Land was offered. Isnt
that a kickback !!! He highlighted the GA cannot allot land on its own without CM and that CM has been
allotting land according to whims and fancies. He demanded for a fact finding committee for
investigating allotment since 1980 and also demanded to take action on those doing Insider Trading
where our Babus made crores by buying based on insider information of upcoming government plans.

Shri Khirod Raut, noted lawyer, Odisha High Court shared his legal battle with Govt. in Odisha High
Court through a petition filed by Odisha Juba Mancha relating Medical Institutes involved in Land
Scam for which the case is in proceeding. He highlighted how land is allotted based on false affidavit
which is a criminal act. Also mention how one Mr. Samir Dey from Kolkatta rcvd land in CDA based on
these false affidavits. Now that land is in use by unknown person. He very strongly demands penalty in
a time bound manner. He has recommended the august gathering to take to sangram and dharna over
PIL as involvement in the scam include Judges, Advocates, Media Persons and senior Government
Officials and that PIL may get held up in the Court.

After presentations made by the speakers, the house was opened up for discussion by the participants.
A good number of sixteen participants as named below presented their views and extended their
support to this movement. . They are former MLA Shri Padma Ch. Nayak, Shri Lakshmi Narayan
Kanungo (OTV Journalist), Shri Swadesh Mohanty (Advocate), Shri Sudhir, ShruDurjyodhanaNayak
(Former IAS Officer), Shri NaliniRanjanPati (Retd Joint Secretary), Shri JantranaParikhit (President Odisha
NagarikaSamiti), Shri Prahalad Singh, Ms. Aparna, Shri Malay Tripathy (IAC), Shri Ziauddin (From
Kandhamal), Shri Dhanadakanta Mishra (AAP), Shri Rajalakshmi Panda, Shri SudarnaChotrai, Shri
Sesadeva Nanda, Shir Pradeep Jena (from Berhampur), Dr.NiranjanBiswal and last but not the least,
closing address by Shri Uma Charan Mishra.

Notable points from all the speakers are as follows.
1. How freedom fighter requested to president for a piece of land in Bhubaneswar but did not get
after 4 yrs of continuous requests while 74 IAS//IPS officers got g multiple immovable property
in Bhubaneswar .
2. The Entire system is corrupt and needs cleansing.
3. Sambad paper printing names of peons as corrupt but not mentioning the name of ministers,
bureaucrats, etc.
4. Govt. has given 5000 acres of land to TATA in Ganjam.
5. Now Penal Rents to such individuals and groups is 20 times of market value.
6. Land is not available to needy single mother
7. How in places like Kandhamal has to struggle for land for school but lands are distributed for
farm houses.
8. Politics is to be changed to change the system
9. The greed for land must stop.
10. Justice must be served and criminals must go to jail.
11. Jana Sachetna campaign must start to sensitise the people about land scam in Odisha
12. Rally needs to be organised demanding CBI Inquiry into land scam.
Last but not least, Shri Uma charan Mishra, chairman of the session quoted the wise words Plato
saying Participation is Good and Capt. Straiter smsg Borders defended without check on
corruption will leave nation defenceless from within.

Resolution of the Gathering.

The convention unanimously passed the following resolution.
Organise a massive rally on 25-Aug-14 at PMG square to bring this plight of Civil Society to be heard
loud and clear and to demand independent investigation by appointing CBI.

Action Plan finalized Subsequent to the meeting.
Sl# Category Activity
1 Event Mass Demonstration with 2000 People before Assemble
2 Information Collation of Information available categorizing as beneficiary, Conflict of
Interest and Insider Trading.
3 Activity FIR Registration. Identifying those who would register.
4 Activity Disciplinary proceedings demand on those in service.
5 Demand Demand CBI Investigation on Land Allotment since 1980
6 Communication Communication Leaflet
6.1 Communication Demand and Appeal
6.2 Communication IAC Leaflet with names
7 Event Street Corner Meeting
8 Identity Name of event "Demand CBI Inquiry on Land Scam"
9 Organise 8 Organizations to support namely Odisha LokAdhkaar, Odisha
SwavimaanManch, Odisha BastiSangharshSamiti, LokSangharshSamiti, Odisha
GharoiSangharshaSamiti, Odisha International Center, OdisahKrushi O
KrushakaSurakshya, Economic Institution Effected
10 Event Next Meet at Sneha Office on 18-Aug-14 4PM




Total number of 106 participants have attended the meeting and showed their support to uphold
the law and deliver justice and fight out corruption.
Report prepared by Amogh M
On Date- 23.8.14