VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribagh, May 25: A shop built on the government land at Basaria Bazar of Keredari block is a sheer example of officials’ negligence. The reason is that the then Circle Officer had issued a notice in the year 2020 to demolish this shop. Despite the lapse of three years, this shop has not been removed till now and all orders passed for its demolition have remained confined to the files.
Sources said the then Mukhiya Anita Devi led villagers and gave a written application to the circle officer regarding this illegal construction being done on the government land. The villagers demanded action in this regard. Even an application was given to Sadar sub-divisional officer also.
Villagers had also met Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad who also forwarded the application and asked Sadar SDO to take appropriate action. Despite this, today three years have passed and the shop is standing on government land.
Villagers said apart from giving notice, no action has been taken here so far. While any kind of encroachment on government land is illegal and in such cases it is the responsibility of the local officer to stop it. Due to no action during the last three years, the role of the officials is under the scanner, they added.
The villagers alleged that the shopkeepers on the government land are powerful people and use money power to avoid government action. They said that they have requested action again. If action is not taken this time, we will agitate, they warned.
Barkagaon MLA Amba Prasad said that in view of the encroachment on the government land, officers should take proper action. It also needed probe as to why within these three years no action has been taken, she demanded.
Keredari Circle Officer Rakesh Tiwari said he has received an application in this matter. I have asked for all records in this case. If there is a case of encroachment on government land, then it will be freed from encroachment by taking legal action.
