Odisha CM orders swift removal of illegal encroachments on govt land

Bhubaneswar, July 8: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday instructed District Magistrates to expedite the removal of illegal encroachments from government lands throughout Odisha, covering both urban and rural areas.

The Chief Minister emphasized that unauthorized occupation of government lands hinders development, as these lands are intended for public welfare projects and should be promptly cleared. He also directed district collectors to protect cleared government lands by installing suitable fencing and prominently displaying boards.

Previously, in a letter to all collectors, Satyabrata Sahu, the additional chief secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management department, had called for a thorough survey of rural and urban encroachments and their removal according to existing regulations. He expressed concerns about the widespread encroachment of government land in both urban and rural regions during a recent high-level meeting. "One of our primary responsibilities is the optimal management of land resources and the allocation of adequate land for developmental purposes and various economic sectors," he stated.