Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to expedite the removal of encroachments on government land in a village in Jajpur district.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman disposed of a writ petition filed by a group of villagers, issuing the directive in its order.
The petitioners had alleged that government authorities were failing to take adequate measures to remove encroachments from government land and other areas intended for common village use.
Counsel for the state informed the HC that upon learning of the encroachments as reported by the petitioners, the authorities had initiated steps and issued directions for an investigation to ensure that the land was made encroachment-free.
“Our attention is further drawn to a decision of the state government showing no tolerance towards any encroachment on the government land,” the bench observed.
Also read – https://www.orissapost.com/tag/jajpur/
Meanwhile, the state government has instructed all district Collectors to prepare an action plan to evict encroachers from government land across Odisha.
According to an order issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management department, a substantial extent of government land in various parts of the state remains under encroachment.
The department emphasised the need for Revenue authorities to undertake proactive, time-bound measures, within the framework of law, for the identification and eviction of encroachments, and to put in place safeguards to prevent future occurrences.
“Since the process of law has already been set in motion and will be brought to its logical conclusion in accordance with the statutory procedures, we do not think keeping the instant writ petition pending would subserve any justice.
Since the grievance has been addressed and appropriate action initiated, we direct the authorities to complete the process as expeditiously as possible in accordance with the law,” the bench concluded.
