Bhubaneswar, Sept 4: Large-scale irregularities have been alleged in the selection of beneficiaries and distribution of land record certificates (LRCs) to slum dwellers under the Jaga Mission in Bhubaneswar.
As per reports, several slum dwellers have received notices from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to pay different premium amounts for residing on more than 323 sq ft of land.
Besides, the civic body has served notice to several beneficiaries to return back the LRCs for the issue of new ones.
“There has been no transparency in the identification and shortlisting of beneficiaries. Genuine beneficiaries of many slums have been excluded from the list while many outsiders have received LRCs,” alleged members of Bhubaneswar Basti Unnayan Parishad.
Besides, some beneficiaries have been asked to deposit money citing that the area they have occupied exceeds the maximum area of 323 square feet.
Under Jaga Mission LRC could be issued free of cost for land less than 323 square feet per beneficiary.
In some cases, BMC has asked beneficiaries shortlisted to pay a hefty amount, running over Rs 2 to Rs 2.8 lakh to get the LRC. This money has been collected in cash, alleged Aparupa Narayan, BJP corporator of Ward No 29.
The BJP corporators raised the issue on Saturday during a meeting regarding the Jaga Mission held under the chairmanship of Mayor Sulochana Das.
