In a direction that could go a long way in preventing illegal encroachment near the protected monuments in Khurda, the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central) Arvind Padhee has directed the Collector not to permit land kisam conversion within 100-metre radius.
The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 prohibits any construction within 100 metres of the monuments protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
However, several ASI-protected monuments have witnessed growing construction in the prohibited zones by individuals, builders as well as mafia bent upon encroaching the same.
Padhee, in an order to Khurda Collector, directed that the Act’s provisions must be adhered to in letter and spirit and at the same time, all the tehsildars and land registration officers should ensure that kisam of the land is not permitted for conversion.
“Since agencies like Bhubaneswar Development Authority do not accord sanction to building plans unless the land kisam is homestead, preventing conversion of kisam of the land in the 100-metre radius will stop the menace,” Padhee told this paper on Saturday.
The RDC’s letter has asked the revenue administration of the district to keep a close eye on the land surrounding places of historical importance such as Sishupalgarh, Chhattish Yogini Temple, Khandagiri and Udayagiri among others.
Besides, Padhee has directed that all encroachments near the sites protected by ASI as well as State Archaeology should be evicted at the earliest by the civic authorities. The Municipal Commissioner of Bhubaneswar has been asked to evict all illegal encroachments near Lingaraj Temple.