LOP alleges irregularities in Bharat Mala Project, Oppn stages walkout

Raipur: In the state legislative assembly on Wednesday, the Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities and corruption in distribution of compensation for land acquisition Bharat Mala road Project and demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.Revenue minister Tankram Verma acknowledged the irregularities and announced an inquiry by the divisional commissioner but the govt didn't accept their demand. Dissatisfied with the minister's response, Congress MLAs demanded that an FIR be filed against the responsible officers and they staged a walkout.Mahant said that the govt has admitted that irregularities in the land acquisition of villages in Raipur district led to a loss of Rs 43.19 crore to the Centre and there was irregularity in the execution of funds in Bharat Mala project."Though a few officials have been suspended in the matter, we call for a CBI investigation in the matter," Mahant demanded.Revenue minister Tank Ram Verma elaborated in his response that the notification for land acquisition of Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor under Bharat Mala project was issued in Jan 2020, and the compensation was awarded on March 18, 2021. Based on complaints received in distribution of compensation, Raipur collector was asked to conduct a probe in Aug 2022, he said.As per the probe report received from Raipur Collector on April 26, 2024, compensation was distributed by dividing 13 original Khasras into 53 small plots in village Nayakbandha, Verma said, adding that the govt suffered a financial loss due to the inclusion of cases of purchase and sale after the issuance of the initial notification, and approval of compensation by preparing fake transfer of ownership on back dates, he said.Admitted that the irregularities had taken place in the land acquisition process, the department suspended the then Naib Tehsildar Gobara Navapara Lakheshwar Prasad Kiran and patwaris Jitendra Sahu, Dinesh Patel and Lekhram Devangan, the minister said.Besides, the General Administration Department has been taking action against then Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) and Competent Officer (Land Acquisition) Nirbhay Sahu and then Tehsildar of Abhanpur Shashikant Kurre, he said.Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai defended the govt's stance, asserting that the Revenue minister had provided a thorough response. He also assured that no laxity would be allowed in the investigation. However, he pointed out the hypocrisy of the Congress party, which had previously banned the CBI and now called for its intervention. "If there are any concerns about the investigation, let us know, and we will address them," he added.Mahant then said that as the minister accepted there were irregularities, an FIR should be registered against the guilty officials and a CBI probe should be conducted.The minister replied that the govt will ensure a thorough probe by the Raipur divisional commissioner, and no one will be spared. Congress demanded the probe to be conducted by a committee of House while the minister said that the probe was being done by commissioner. Congress was not satisfied with the reply and stating that they will go to High Court, the MLAs staged a walkout from the House.