Guwahati: Even as the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district administration in Guwahati is continuing with its drive to evict encroachers on government land, forest land, river banks and wetlands in Greater Guwahati area in accordance with his earlier directive, the chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Saturday ordered probe into alleged illegal settlement/allotment of land in Guwahati Metropolitan area.
An official communiqué from the chief minister’s office informed that Gogoi has ordered an inquiry into the allotment/settlement of land in Guwahati Metropolitan area, especially the wetlands and water bodies.
In an order to the chief secretary, Jitesh Khosla, Gogoi directed him to get the probe conducted by retired IAS officer, Bhaskar Barua.
The terms of reference of the inquiry will include identification of the officials involved in illegal and arbitrary allotment/settlement of land in Guwahati metropolitan area.
The continuing eviction drive that has been being conducted since first week of this month in order to prevent flash floods in monsoon season in Guwahati city, has focused on clearing wetlands, water bodies and two main channels, Bharalu and Bahini – passing through Guwahati metropolitan area of encroachers.
The eviction drive was launched after the last spell of rain-triggered flash floods claimed 11 lives in Guwahati city besides causing extensive damage to property in various area of the city.
During the eviction drive it has come to the fore that many residents were granted land settlement or allotted land on wetlands and water bodies by unscrupulous officials of concerned agencies like Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMA) flouting existing laws.
Many multi-storeyed residential complexes too have been found to be constructed on natural wetland areas after being allotted land by the authorities to the builders.
This has exposed rampant corruption prevailing in Government agencies involved in development of greater Guwahati areas.
Meanwhile, several organisations including Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity (KMSS) have alleged discrimination on part of the administration in carrying out the eviction drive against ‘encroachers’.
The KMSS has accused the administration being biased towards resourceful realtor and rich people who have managed to construct buildings and houses on illegally procured government land.