By Anurjay Dhal
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Engineer, Odisha Minor Irrigation, Bhubaneswar Engineer Basant Kumar Rout in a letter dated 08-09-2023 bearing no KHD-04/23-10070 to Superintending Engineer , MI Khorda Division, citing illegal encroachment of left main canal of Deras MIP in Bhubaneswar block of Khorda, has order to clear the encroachment with immediate effect.
The action of Odisha MI Department came following allegations made by BJP Bhubaneswar MP and National Spokesperson, Aparajita Sarangi, who had alleged that Tamil mining contractor B Prabhakaran, his wife Kiruthika Prabhakaran and their company, Thriveni Earth Movers Pvt Ltd have grabbed lands illegally, which is affecting water flow in the canal.
“It has come to the notice of the undersigned that part of left main canal of Deras MIP has been blocked by some encroacher as a result of which ayacutdars are deprived of irrigation since last 2 years, “ Chief Engineer , MI Odisha wrote.
Immediate steps may be taken to make the canal free from encroachment. The revenue authorities may be moved immediately for taking expedious action for removal of unauthorised blocking so as to make smooth irrigation flow to the tail end, the letter said. It further added “You are further instructed to explain the reasons for not taking any effective steps against the unauthorised encroachment of canal even though irrigation to the said ayacut has been hampered since last two years,’.
It may be noted here that a day after visiting Deras Minor Irrigation Project on the outskirts of Odisha capital following allegation that it has been obstructed due to land encroachment, Bhubaneswar MP Sarangi had son Friday written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking his intervention in the interest of the poor farmers.
Aparajita said in the letter that the people of Bhagabatipur and Giringaput mouzas under Kantabada and Mendhasal panchayats respectively had met her about a month back and complained against an influential woman.
Mining contractor B Prabhakaran’s wife Kiruthika Prabhakaran, allegedly encroached upon around 150 acre of land in these two mouzas.
Following checking of Revenue Records, it was found that there are Anabadi plots, private plots, Hindustan Aeronautics Employees Association plots, Thakur Jami and a portion of Deras MIP Irrigation Canal within this patch of 150 acre encroached by the woman, the BJP MP had alleged.
The most worrying fact is that an existing canal providing water to farm lands has been damaged in a systematic way, she claimed, adding that this damage to the canal system has been done deliberately to prevent the farmers from cultivating their land and thus force them to sell off their land parcel.
There are all indications and evidence of construction of a huge farm house in this enclosed parcel of land, Sarangi said, adding that land mafias are in operation who have deployed bouncers to threaten local villagers and keep them quiet.
Following the allegation made by the BJP MP, Manas Mohapatra, lawyer of Kritika Prabhakaran, had told media that a legal notice will be served on Aparajita Sarangi. All land purchases by his client have been done in tune with law, he said.
