Status of Mega Drinking Water Projects in Odisha

 

Status of Mega Drinking Water Projects undertaken by non-Odia Contractors in different districts, Odisha

(Information obtained under RTI Act by May 2025)

 

In 2023, the information received under RTI Act from Govt. Departments  ( https://odishasoochana.blogspot.com/2023/12/non-odia-contractors-awarded-huge-work.html ) exposed how a mega Drinking water project worth   thousands of crores  of rupees have been designed to hand over the  non-Odia Contractors. A total amount of Rs 35,000 crores was simply handed over to 17 Non-Odia Companies who enjoy patronage of Sri V.K. Pandian, the then Secretary to former Chief Minister and his close associates   i.e, non-Odia officers in Odisha bureaucracy.  During that time, we had   alleged that these mega Projects handed over to non-Odia Contractors   and sidelining Odia Contractors was meant to loot state exchequer in name of providing drinking water to the People of Odisha.    After BJP Govt. came to power in 2024, we filed complaint before Govt. seeking an inquiry and special audit into allotment of mega projects to all non-Odia Contractors.   Despite assurance given by Govt., no inquiry was conducted so far.  Out of our curiosity and to understand the status of the project and action, if any taken by Govt. against Non-Odia Contractors, we filed RTI in the office of Engineer-in-Chief, RWSS to access this information. The below is the present status of   the mega  drinking  water projects.  Though four to five years passed since sanction of the project and despite extension of time  is granted, not  a single project  has been completed so far. The lack of potable drinking water   for rural people in Odisha has led to widespread outbreak of Diarrhoea  in  different districts. We put  this information in public domain with the objective generating public opinion and putting pressure on Govt. to refrain from sanctioning any kind of project to non-Odia Contractors.

 

Sl.No.	Name  of District	Name  of agency	Name of the project	Total amount sanctioned  with year	Total amount utilized	Status of the project	Remarks
1	Puri	M/s Indian Hume Pipe Co. Ltd., Mumbai	Mega Piped Water Supply to 68 villages of Astarang Block, 64 villages of Kakatpur block, 52 villages of Gop Block of Puri district	Rs. 192.46 crore  in 2023	NA	On-going
2	Puri	M/s Indian Hume Pipe Co. Ltd. , Mumbai	Mega Drinking Water Project for supply of drinking water to 68 villages under Puri Sadar  and 78 villages of Gop block	Rs. 213.98 crore	NA	On going
3	Puri	M/s Indian Hume Pipe Co. Ltd. , Mumbai	Mega  Drinking Water Project  for water supply to 78 villages  of Delang Block	Rs. 107.42 Crore	NA	On4 going
4	Puri	M/s GVPR Engineer’s Co Ltd.  Hyderabad	Mega  Drinking Water Project  for water supply to 126 villages of Kanas Block, 18 villages of Brahmagiri Block , 14 villages of Satyabadi Block	Rs. 184.12 Crore	NA	Ongoing
5	Khorda	JMC-Jindal water Infrastructure Ltd.  Joint Venture	Piped Water Project to 337 villages of Bolagada and Begunia  Block of Khorda district ( Location- Sananayapali, patapursasan Gp, Bolagarh )	Rs. 326.08 Crore	NA	On going
6	Khorda	Krishan  S, Mumbai and UMSL  Ltd, Odisha	Mega PWS to Ranipada Cluster of Banpur block	Rs. 67.57 Crore	NA	Ongoing
7	Khorda	L &T Company	Mega PWS  to Chilika, Tangi and Banpur blocks	Rs. 188.76 Crore	NA	Ongoing
8	Khorda	L and T Company	Mega PWS to Begunia and jatni Block	Rs. 278.06 Crore	NA	Ongoing
9	Khorda	NCC Company	Mega PWS to  Balipatna Block	Rs. 142.73 Crore	NA	Ongoing
10	Khorda	NCC  Company	Mega PWS to 16 GPs of Balianta Block	Rs. 128.62 Crore	NA	Ongoing
11	Khorda	NCC Company	Mega PWS to 9 GPs of Bhubaneswar Block	Rs. 82.61 Crore	NA	Ongoing
12	Khorda	NCC Company	Mega PWS to 6 GPs of Bhubaneswar Block	Rs. 46.72 Crore	NA	Ongoing
13	Khorda	NCC Company	Mega PWS to 17 GPs of Tangi Block	Rs. 133.58 Crore	NA	Ongoing
14	Jajpur	Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited , Hyderabad	Mega PWS  to Dasarathpur Block	Rs. 181.78 Crore , sanctioned in 2018-19	Es. 158.95 crore	On going	Project  was about to be completed by 30.12.2021 . But EOT applied upto 30.12.24. Still Project is not  completed.
15	Jajpur	Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, Hyderabad	Mega PWS to Badachana Block	Rs.335.72 Crore sanctioned in 2018-19	Rs. 287.32 crore	On-going	Project  was about to be completed by 30.12.2021 . But EOT applied upto 30.12.24. Still Project is not  completed.
16	Jajpur	Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, Hyderabad	Mega PWS to Dharmashala Block				Project  was about to be completed by 30.12.2021 . But EOT applied upto 30.12.24. Still Project is not  completed.
17	Jajpur	Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, Hyderabad	Mega PWS to Jajpur and Binjharpur Block	Rs.245.98 crore , sanctioned in 2020-21	Rs.189.18 crore	On-going	Project  was about to be completed by 22.3.24  . But EOT applied upto 24.3.25 Still Project is not  completed.
18	Jajpur	KEC and BRCC	Mega PWS  to Danagadi block	RS. 87.11 Crore	Rs. 67.35 crore	On going	Project to be completed by 9.3.21  but EOT approved 23.2.25 . but not completed
19	Jajpur	KEC International Ltd joint venture with  BRCC	Mega Drinking Water Project for Dharmashala and Rasulpur block	Es.167.16 crore	Rs. 115.77 crore	On going	Project to be completed by 9.3.21 . EOT Approved till 23.2.25. but not completed
20	Jajpur	KPIL	Mega PWS to 258 villages under Korei block	Rs.127.06 crore	Rs. 32.79  crore	On going	The project is about to be completed by 24.3.25 . but continuing.
21	Jajpur	KPIL Company	Mega Drinking Water Project for 89 villages under Bari block	Rs. 127.60 crore Sanctioned on 2022-23		Ongoing
22	Jajpur	NCC Limited	Mega Drinking Water Project for 52 mining affected villages of 16 GPs of Sukinda block	Rs. 107 crore sanctioned in 2018-19	Rs. 101.09 crore	Ongoing	Project was sanctioned on 27.11.21 and extended upto 31.5.24 . but not yet completed
23	Jajpur	NCC Limited	Mega Drinking Water Project for 33 no of mining affected villages of Sukinda block	Rs. 79.56 crore  sanctioned in 2017-18	Rs. 67.03  crore	Ongoing	Project was about to complete on 30.9.21 but not yet completed
24	Jajpur	NCC Limited	Mega Drinking Water Project for 15 no. of mining affected villages of Sukinda block	Rs. 46.19 crore sanctioned in 2018-19	Rs. 43.99 crore	Ongoing	Project was about to complete on 30.11.2022  but not yet completed
25	Rayagada	M/S KEC Limited and  SPML Joint Venture	Mega Drinking Water Project for 24 GP, 418 Villages and 4 GPs, 49 villages  of Rayagada Block	Rs. 298.70 crore	Rs. 152.20 crore	On-going	No action taken
26	Rayagada	M/s Zuberi Engineering Private Limited	14 GPs of Gunupur Block	Rs. 79.40 Crore	Rs. 58.40 Crore	On-going	No Action Taken  against the Company
27	Rayagada	M/S SIIPL and SIEPL Joint Venture	3 no. Individual RPWS Project  pertaining to Ramanaguda and Kolanara Block	Rs. 114.68 Crore	Rs. 35.58 Crore	On-going	No action taken against  the Company.
28	Rayagada	M/s Zuberi Engineering Private Limited	Execution of Mega PWS Project to 18 GPs of Bisamcuttack Block	Rs. 84.23 Crore	Rs. 63.37 Crore	On-going	No action taken by the Company
29	Cuttack	M/s Megha Engineering Infrastructure Ltd.	Mega PWS Project for 37 GPof Mahanga Block and 7 GP of Nischnktakoili Block	Rs. 194.92 Crore	Rs. 165.95 Crore	On-going	Partially functional
30	Cuttack	Blue Star , SPML Infra JV Limited	Mega PWS Project  for 72 villages of Nischntakoili Block	Rs. 62.16 Crore	Rs. 26.67 Crore	Ongoing	Non-Functional
31	Cuttack	Blue Star VISHWA Infra JV Ltd.	Executing of Mega PWS Project pertaining to 13 GPs of Banki Block, 17 GPs of Damapada Block, 2 GPs of Baranga Block	Rs. 189.69 Crore	Rs. 68.64 Crore	Ongoing	No-functional
32	Cuttack	M/S Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd.  JV with M/s Bhugan Infracon Pvt. Ltd.	Execution of PWS Project for 149 villages of Tangi Choudwar Block	Rs. 153.51 Crore	Rs. 27.16 Crore	Ongoing	Non-functional
33	Gajapati	JMC – SPML Joint Venture	Mega PWS Project for 39 GP of Mohana Block from Harabhanga Reservoir	Rs. 622.13 Crore	Rs.198.57 Crore	Ongoing
34	Gajapati		Mega PWS Project for 19 GPs of Nuagada Block, 17 GPs of R. Udayagiri Block
35	Gajapati		5 GPs of Gumma Block	Rs.30.33 Crore		Ongoing
36	Gajapati	Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited	Mega PWS project for 190 villages of Rayagada Block	Rs. 379.17 Crore	Rs. 47.88 Crore	ongoing
37	Boudh	Land T Company Ltd.	Mega PWS Project for Boudh Block	Rs.205.48 Crore	Rs. 194.89 Crore	Ongoing
38	Boudh	Land T Company Limited	Mega PWS Project for Kantamala Block	Rs. 214.93 Crore	Rs.202. 22 Crore	Ongoing
39	Boudh	Land T Company Limited	Mega PWS Project  for Harabhanga Block	Rs. 195.70 Crore	Rs. 134.47 Crore	Ongoing
40	Nawarangpur	JMC-JWIL Company	Mega PWS project for 72 GPs of Nandahandi and Tentulukhunti Block	Rs. 149.39Crore sanctioned on 9.8.2019	Rs.139.20 Crore	Ongoing	Date  of the  completion was 8.8.21. EOT was granted upto 31.12.24. Still Project could not be completed . Penalty amounting 0.05 % of Project Cost per day was imposed  on 2.3.2024 onwards
41	Nawarangpur	JMC-JWIL Company	Mega PWS project for 11 GPs of Kosagumuda Block	Rs. 99.01 Crore  sanctioned on 9.8.2019	Rs. 101.63 Crore	Ongoing	Date  of the  completion was 8.8.21. EOT was granted upto 31.12.24. Still Project could not be completed . Penalty amounting 0.05 % of Project Cost per day was imposed on 2.3.2024 onwards
42	Nawarangpur	M/s GVPR Engineering Pvt. Ltd	Two no. Individual Mega PWS Project for Nawarangpur, Papadahandi and Kosagumuda Block	Rs. 403.94 Crore sanctioned on 1.3.2019	Rs. 368.41 Crore	Ongoing	The Project was about to complete 30.7.21 . But EOT was extended to 31.12.2025 . penalty amounting 0.03 % on balance work for delay in project  imposed on 5.11.24
43	Nawarangpur	M/s GVPR Engineering Pvt. Ltd	Two no. Individual Mega PWS Project for Chandahandi Block	Rs. 139.48 Crore  sanctioned on 1.3.2019	Rs.118.73 Crore	Ongoing
44	Nawarangpur	M/s L and T Company Ltd	66 villages of Dabugaon Block and 68 villages of Jharigaon Block	Rs. 261.27 Crore	Rs.39.04 Crore	Ongoing	The project started on 294.23 and date fixed for Completion 29.3.25. But 10% of work has not been completed
45	Keonjhar	M/s NCC Ltd, Hyderabad	19 villages under Hatadihi Block	Rs.35.87 Crore	Rs. 36.15 Crore	Completed and operational
46	Keonjhar	M/s NCC Ltd, Hyderabad	200 villages under Hatadihi Block	Rs. 281.87 Crore	Rs. 290.08 Crore	Ongoing	Though more amount released than sanctioned amount , the project could not be completed.
47	Keonjhar	M/s Megha Engineering Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.	Mega PWS for 138 no. villages under Saharapada Block	Rs.182.32 Crore	Rs. 186.18 Crore	Ongoing	Govt. has penalized / liquidated damage to the tune of 1% on the balance value of work on the executing agency on 28.2.24
48	Keonjhar	M/s Megha Engineering Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.	Mega PWS to 81 no. villages under Anandpur Block	Rs.112.37 Crore	Rs. 114.62 Crore	Ongoing	Govt. has penalized / liquidated damage to the tune of 1% on the balance value of work on the executing agency on 28.2.24
49	Keonjhar	M/s Megha Engineering Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.	Mega PWS to 200 no. villages  under Ghasipura and Anandpur	Rs. 155.44 Crore	Rs. 151.12 Crore	Ongoing	Govt. has penalized / liquidated damage to the tune of 1% on the balance value of work on the executing agency on 28.2.24
50	Keonjhar	M/S Land T limited	Mega PWS  for 144  villages  of telkoi, Ghatagaon and Patna and HarichndanPur Block	Rs. 1176.50 sanctioned in 2019	Rs. 355 .53 Crore	Ongoing	The Govt. Has imposed penalty  amounting Rs.1,18,17, 568.00 on 8.10.2024
51	Sundargarh	Kalpataru Pvt. Ltd ( JMC)	Mega PWS  for Bisra, Lathikata, Lahunipada  and Bonai block	Rs.388.81 Crore	Rs. 215.44  Crore	Ongoing	60% work completed . Govt. has imposed penalty Rs. 26,35,660.00
52	Sundargarh	Universal MEP Project and Engineering services ( VOLTAS)	Mega PWS to Gurundia and Lathikata Block	Rs. 152.00 crore	Rs. 121.74 crore	Ongoing	An amount of 27,45,118.00  as penalty imposed . External electrification not completed.
53	Sundaragarh	Universal MEP Project and Engineering services ( VOLTAS)	Mega PWS for Koida and Lahunipada Block	Rs.168.11 Crore	Rs. 121.74 crore	Ongoing	A penalty amounting Rs. 30, 47,485 imposed  water supply is under testing
54	Sundaragarh	Universal MEP Project and Engineering services ( VOLTAS)	Mega PWS for Kuanrmunda, Nuagaon Block	Rs. 340.39 Crore	Rs.282,09 Crore	Ongoing	Rs. 19,31,910 penalty imposed

 

Prepared by Pradip Pradhan , M-9937843482

Date- 25.6.25

Subsidized Rice of 1500 quintal supplied to KISS in every month

 

Govt. of Odisha bears   Rs. 52 crores towards providing subsidized rice for ten thousand students of KISS in every Year

 

Sri Simant Patra, RTI Activist of Jajpur district  had  filed RTI Application dt. 4.3.25   to the  PIO, Department of SC, ST  and Minorities welfare , Govt. of Odisha  seeking  information about details of subsidized rice supplied  to different NGOs running  tribal hostel in Khorda district.

On 4.4.25,  the  PIO has  supplied the  detailed  information which is mentioned below.

1.     Govt. of  Odisha  supplied  15 kg  of rice  per  head  per  month  @  subsidized price Rs. 10.05 per kg.

2.     There  are  four  number  of  NGOs  getting subsidized  rice  in Khorda  district.

3.     Kalinga institute  of Social science ( KISS)   is  provided 1500 quintal rice per month for 10,000 children.

4.     Nehure  Seva Sangh, Banapur is supplied 22.5 quintal of rice  per month for 150  students.

5.     Ramakrstan Mission is  supplied  9 quintal rice  for 60  children.

6.     Viswajeevan Seva Sangha  is supplied 30 quintals rice for 200  children.

KISS  is the  biggest  beneficiary  of Govt. schemes and programme. Huge  amount of resources  in terms of  building infrastructure, land and subsidized  rice, food, stipend  is  contributed  by  both state and Central Govt. for  KISS institution.

It needs  to mention here  that  Govt. procures rice @ 36.19 per KG  from open market  and  supply  the  same @Rs. 10.05 per kg.

Pradip Pradhan

Date- 8.4.25

M-9937843482

Memorandum on KSS to Minister for Revenue and DM, Odisha

 

To

Sri Suresh Pujari                                                                                 Date- 26.6.24

Hon’ble Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management

Govt. of Odisha

 

Sri Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia

 Hon’ble Minister  for  Forest and Environment

Govt. of Odisha

 Sub-  Undue  favour  shown by   Govt. Revenue Officials  to  KISS ( Kalinga Institute  of Social science) of Achyut Samant, former MP of Biju Janata Dal  in course of diverting  4.032 hects  of  valuable  forest  land  in Patharagadia area    under Bhubaneswar Tahasil  in favour of KISS  at  throw away price – Inquiry  regarding

 Dear Sir

 We, the concerned citizens and Civil Society groups   bring to your kind  notice  the  following  issues in connection with  illegal occupation  of  4.032 hect. revenue   forest  land      by Achyut Samant  of KISS in  connivance  with corrupt   officials  of revenue  Dept  for years together  and  subsequent handing over to forest land  in favour of KISS  at throw away  price  following order of Ministry of Environment and Forest , Govt. of India.

 1.   The issue of Achyut Samant, founder of Kalinga Institute of Social Science (KISS), Patia, Bhubaneswar  illegally occupying 4.032 hect  forest land  in Pathargadia Mouza under Bhubaneswar Tahasil  came to limelight  through RTI in 2015.  Then a complaint  was filed    in the Govt.   seeking action against Achyut Samant and restoration of the said land to Govt. fold.  The Revenue officials  of the State Govt. did not  take  any steps  for  restoration  of the land  rather  cooperated  Achyut Samant  to continue  to occupy the land  help him develop illegal  infrastructure  like academic block, hostel, road,  etc.)  without BDA Plan approval.  As ACHYUT Samant enjoyed  close proximity with State Govt.   officers  and BJD leaders, he succeeded all the infrastructure since 2010. ( it was reported by Secretary, Dept. of Forest and Environment to Central Govt. on query dt. 8.2.21).

 2.   As   the State Govt. did not  take any action against Achyut Samant, Sri Subash Mohapatra, RTI Activist  filed  a complaint  in national Green Tribunal  in 2016  bearing case No. OA N. 92/2016 praying for  action  against KISS for alleged violation of  the provision of  the Forest ( Conservation) Act, 1980. While  disposing  the case, the hon’ble National Green Tribunal passed  order for  maintaining  pristine  of the forest land, demarcating and  erecting fencing  work around the land and allowed  State Govt.  to consider the  application of  KISS for allotment of forest land  in accordance with law.

 3.   Following the order  of the NGT, the Forest and Environment Dept. Govt. of Odisha    forwarded  the   diversion proposal of KISS  dt. 1.11.2017  ( Proposal No. FP/OR/SCH/26930/2017) to Ministry of Environment and Forest , Govt. of India  for  consideration.

 4.   After a lot  of query and considering  the  diversion proposal  submitted  by  the State Govt, Ministry  of Environment, Forest and Climate  change , Govt. of India accorded in-principle  diversion proposal with   series of  conditions  on dt. 7.9.21. ( Annexture-1)

 5.       The major conditions imposed by Central Govt. are as follows.

 i)                 The  user agency  shall transfer  online, the Net Present Value ( NPV)  of 4.032  ha  forest land  being diverted  under  this proposal  as per  orders  of the  Hon’ble  Supreme Court  dt. 28.3.2008, 24.4.2008  and 9.5.2008.  The requisite fund shall be transferred through online  portal in CAMPA  account  of the state concerned.

ii)               The State Govt. shall realize penal NPV of five times  of the NPV  from the user agency  for violation of forest ( conservation) Act , 1980 under  Para 1.21 ( ii) (a)  of guidelines.

iii)             The State Govt.  shall initiate  disciplinary  action against  Revenue Department  officials responsible  for violation and initiate  this office  for launching prosecution  under section 3A/3B  of  the Act.

6.   As per RTI Information obtained from office of PCCF, Odisha dt. 29.5.2023, it was observed from the letter vide letter No. Memo No. 3070/4F (F.C. Act &lease) -81/2022  dt. 9.6.22 of DFO, Wildlife Division, Baramunda, Bhubaneswar addressed to  the  Regional Chief Conservator  of Forest, Bhubaneswar Circle, Bhubaneswar  that “ KISS  has deposited  Rs. 25,24,032 (25.24 lakh) against 10 acres (4.032 Ha) forest land   on 30.10.21.  It means   the amount per  acre of forest land under Pathargadia Mouza   deposited  by KISS  is   Rs.2.5  lakh per acre.  But  the  Govt. valuation rate ( DSR Rate  of land ) of land under Patharagadia  mouza  is Rs. 3.30 crore (Attached).   How  the  officials of Revenue Dept. calculated  and fixed valuation rate of forest land under Patharagadia Mouza is Rs. 2.5  lakh per acre.  It is alleged  that  the  revenue officials of  Govt. are hand in glove  with Sri Achyut Samant , then then BJP MP and underestimated  the land value  of forest land and  handed over  precious land at  throw away price and caused heavy loss  to the State  exchequer. We, therefore request you  to make  thorough investigation  and find out  the officers  responsible for  it and take  stringent action against them.  ( Attached herewith as Annexture-2)

 

7.   With  regard  to disciplinary action  against Revenue officials, the PCCF vide Memo No 2364   dt. 7.2.24   has complied  to the Central Govt. mentioning  that “ Action has been taken by Tahasildar, Bhubaneswar as per provision of OPLE Act  and Rules on Encroachment of Govt. land. While observing letter of Tahasildar, Bhubaneswar, it  was found that  the Tahasildar in his letter  dt. 24.1.24 addressed to Additional District Magistrate, Revenue, Khorda   stated  that  the then Revenue Inspector has  booked encroachment case No.   640/21, 641/21  against  Kalinga Relief Charitable Trust , C/O- Achyuta Samant  and  collected  penalty amount Rs. 30,000.00   vide M.R. No. 053858 dt. 29.8.2012. It is alleged  that  in fact no action has been  taken any  officials  responsible  for allowing  Sri Achyut Samant  to occupy land for more  than 10 years.  The Ministry  has  kept  condition for  strict  disciplinary action against revenue officials  for  their  inaction  and failure  the  restoration of encroached land to Govt. fold. It is crustal clear that  the  revenue officials  have been bribed heavily and  allowed  Achyut Samant  to continue  to enjoy  the land for years  together.  The Condition of the Ministry  of Environment and Forest and Climate Change “ initiating disciplinary action against  officials “  has not been properly  complied. So we request you  to kindly  inquire  into the matter and  find out officers  who knowingly  allowed Achyut Samant to occupy the land and put  the whole administration in hurdle. (annexture-3)

 

We, therefore  request you to issue  direction for  a vigilance inquiry into the matter and take action within stipulated  time period.

 

 

Yours  sincerely

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copy  to :

A.     Inspector General of Forest , Ministry of Environment , Forest and Climate Change , A/3, Chandrasekhar Pur , Bhubaneswar.

B.     Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha , Bhubaneswar

 

 

 

 

 

Demanding inquiry and Registration of KISS under JJ Act

 Sanjukta Panigrahi , eminent Woman Activist  filed  complaint before Secretary , Women and Child Development Department and  Collector, Khorda  to bring KISS under Juvenile Justice Act 

To

The Secretary

Department of Women and Child  Development

Govt. of Odisha

Bhubaneswar

 

The Collector, Khurda

 

Sub- Seeking  an inquiry and Registration of Kalinga Institute of Social Science ( KISS), Patia, Bhubaneswar  under Juvenile Justice Act.

 

Sir

 

I Smt. Sanjukta Panigrahi , Woman Activist residing in  Plot No. 396/4306, Kanak Durga Nagar, Post-KIIT, Bhubaneswar-751024 bring  to your  kind  notice  the  following  complaint  about  management  of KISS  for  your  urgent  intervention and necessary action.

 

1.    Kalinga Institute of Social Science, an NGO is managing a tribal school named KISS Tribal School in Chandaka and Pathargadia area under Patia Mouza of Bhubaneswar for 30 years. Sri Achyut Samant, the Founder of KISS always publicly claims  that his Institution is providing 30,000 poor and distress tribal children free education, free hostel facility and free food, cloth etc.  Neither Central Govt. nor State Govt.  provides any kind of support for the tribal children.

 

2.    To ascertain the fact and factuality of claim of Achyut Samant,  RTI Application was filed  to the PIO, office of Principal, KSS for  supply of information about management of KISS. But  the KISS Authority denied  to supply any kind of information, as their institution does not  come  under purview of RTI Act. Few Social Activists of our state  had  filed multiple RTI Applications to various Govt. Department of State and Central Government   to access  the  information about  expenses made/ support , if any provided  by Govt.

 

3.    RTI Application was submitted to the Collector, Khorda seeking information about exact number of tribal children reading in KISS Tribal School. RTI Application was transferred to  Block Education Officer, Bhubaneswar  for supply of information. On 10.1.2022, the Block Education Officer, Bhubaneswar  supplied  the  information stating that 16,765 tribal children are  studying in the school against  claim of 30,000 children by Achyut Samant ( annexture-1). Similarly,  the KISS  Authority  in a letter addressed  to the  Child Welfare Committee, Khorda dated 18.4.2019  has mentioned about total no. of 19,232 children studying in the School ( Annnexture-2).  The abovementioned figure  of tribal children proves  claim of Sri Samant as false.

 

4.    As per information obtained from the  Department and SC and ST welfare , Govt. of Odisha on 26.7.22, it  was found that  the State  Govt. is  providing subsided rice ( 15 kg per head per month) @ Rs. 9.30 per kg for 10,000 tribal children of KISS School. ( Information is attached  as Annexture-3).

 

5.    Similarly, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of Odisha  has  sanctioned Rs. 12 crore from 2007-08 to 2011-12, Rs. 21.42 during period of 2017-18 to 2018-19  and Rs. 20.00 from 2019-20 to 2021-22 for  development of infrastructure of the School. ( Annexture-4)

 

6.    On 17.4.2017 , Subas Mohapatra, Human Rights Activist  had  filed a complaint before  Child Welfare Committee, Khorda , a Statutory body empowered to monitor tribal hostels under Juvenile Justice Act alleging  mal-functioning of KISS School. On 19.6.2017,  a Team of CWC, Khorda  visited  the school and conducted  thorough inquiry into allegation. We access the report of CWC and  found  the observation and recommendation made  by the Team. It is as follows. ( Annexture-5)

Observation  of the Team

a.     There are no sufficient toilet  available for huge number of children living in the hostel.

b.     Many  of the bath rooms and toilets are left broken.

c.      The living space  for the  children  is too congested to live comfortably.

d.     The Institution is  not  recognized by Tribal Welfare  Dept. of Govt. of Odisha

e.     Due to insufficient nutrition, the children are found under nourished and anaemic.

f.       The children  are not given  enough scope or opportunity to express their feelings and emotions.

g.     There is no proper grievance redressal mechanism  exist  in the institution. The children suffer  when they have any problem.

h.     There are  few children who are orphans and there are children who are having single children.

Recommendation of the Team

a.     Since  the institution has accommodated  some  children in need of care and protection ( CNCP) , it needs to be recognized  by Department of Women and Child Development  under Juvenile Justice Act.. This would help the government officials  of JJ System to verify  standard of care.

b.     Within the existing infrastructure, it is not correct  to accommodate such a huge number of children.  Hence either  the number of  children should be reduced  or necessary infrastructure  should be developed to meet  the needs of the children.

c.      The inmates  should be provided  with necessary toilets  and bathroom service  immediately  for comfortable  living of the  children  as it is their right.

7.    In view  of  Report of CWC, Khorda,   a team of  Social Activists Smt. Sanjukta Panigrahi, Pradip Pradhan and Pratap  Sahu  filed  a complaint dated 5.12.2018  in respect of non-registration of KISS under section 41 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. On 10.4.2019, hearing the Complaint, the Additional Child Welfare Committee, Khorda directed KISS Authority to produce all such children before the Addl. CWC, Khorda as earliest as possible and make all necessary arrangements for registration of institution under Juvenile Justice Act. Similarly, on 2.3.2019, the CWC, Khorda  also directed  the  Collector, Khorda to take immediate  and urgent action  to ensure  registration of the Institution under JJ Act. ( Annexture-6)

 

8.    Despite several direction by  the Statutory Body and  existence of statutory law, the KISS Authority   avoided  the  registration of  KISS under JJ Act and took unnecessary  pleas to avoid registration.

 

9.    On 9.7.21, RTI Application was filed to  the PIO, Office of Collector, Khorda  seeking information about total no. of Institutions/ organizations housing poor, vulnerable children registered under JJ Act and organisations  which are not registered. On 2.8.21, the  District Welfare Officer  supplied  list of all 47 Institutions housing  vulnerable children  of Khorda  district  except KISS, Bhubaneswar registered under Juvenile Justice Act. ( Annexture-7)

 

It is alleged  that  as Achyut Samant  has  strong influence over  administration due to his political link  to the then Ruling BJD Party , he  successfully  influenced  the  district administration which did  not  take any steps  to register KISS under JJ Act.  The Officials  under  political pressure  did not  take any steps  to   monitor  the KISS Hostel and register it.

 

I, therefore  urge  you  to take any steps  as required  under law and register KISS under Juvenile Justice Act.

 

Yours  sincerely

 

 

Sanjukta Panigrahi

M- 9337903294

Date- 6.3.25

Who is deemed PIO or referred PIO under RTI Act

 

Who is deemed PIO or referred PIO under Section 5(5) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005

 

  The Right to Information Act casts an obligation/ responsibility on the designated Public Information Officer (PIO) to deal with RTI Application received from the requestor and provide Information to the applicant or reject the application for any of the reasons specified under Section 8 or 9 of the Act.

 

Section 5(4) provides that the PIO is required to seek the assistance of any other officer to enable him to give Information to the information seeker and the other officer dealing with the file/ records containing relevant Information is duty bound to render reasonable assistance to the PIO. Section 5(5) categorically states that if the officer whose assistance is sought by the PIO, or does not render required assistance/ help as per Section 5(4), as sought by the PIO, the Information Commission may impose penalty or recommend appropriate disciplinary action (while deciding the  Complaint or Second Appeal) in the same manner it could have imposed penalty or recommended disciplinary action against the Public Information Officer(PIO).

 

For practical purposes, the deemed PIO or referred PIO shall be treated as PIO.

 

 In this connection, Office Memorandum  No. 1/14-2008—IR Dated 28th July, 2008

Of Government of India , Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions: Department of Personnel and Training On the Subject:-- Clarification regarding Sub-sections (4) and (5) of the Right to Information Act,  2005 provide that a Public Information Officer(PIO) may seek the assistance of any other officer for proper discharge of his/her duties. The officer.  whose assistance is sought, shall render all  assistance to the PIO and shall be treated as PIO for the purposes of any contravention of the provisions of the Act. It has been brought to the notice of this Department that some PIOs using the provisions of this Act, transfer the RTI Application received by them to other officers and direct them to send information to the applicants as deemed PIO. Thus, they use the above referred provision to designate other officers as PIO. 

 

  2. According to the Act, it is the responsibility of the Officer who is designated as the PIO by the Public Authority to provide information to the applicant or reject the application for any reasons specified in Sections 8 and 9 of the Act. The Act enables the PIO to seek assistance of any other officer to enable him to provide  information to the information seeker, but it does not give him authority to designate other officer as PIO and direct him to send  reply to the applicant. The import of Sub-section (5) of Section 5 is that, if the officer whose assistance is sought by the PIO, does not render necessary help to him(designated PIO), the Information Commission may impose penalty on such officer or recommend disciplinary action against him in the same way as the Commission may impose penalty on or recommend disciplinary action against the PIO.

 

3. Contents of this OM may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

 

Sd/- (K. G. Verma)

Director 

 

 N.B. :-- The following important points are required to be remembered by the Public Information Officers(PIOs),---

 

1.   As per the above DOPT Office Memorandum,  PIO cannot direct other officer to give Information to the information seeker. As per Section 5(3), the PIO shall deal with the RTI Application and give Information to the citizens seeking information. 

 

2.   The other officers dealing with the relevant information are duty bound to render reasonable assistance and give relevant files /eecords to PIO required for giving information to RTI Applicant.

 

The RTI Act mandates that only the designated PIO shall deal with the RTI Application and give Information to RTI Applicant. It is not permissible under the Act, that neither the Assistant Public Information Officers(APIOs) / Deemed or Referred PIOS/ or any other officer shall give information to the information seekers.

 

Complaint on Irregularities in allotment of land to KIIT by IDCO

 

Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan

Plot No.-101, Madhusudan Nagar, Bhubaneswar

Email-odishasoochanaadhikar@gmail.com

Ref.No.-OSAA/110/2/2025                                                                            Date- 27.2.25

 

To

The Chief Secretary

Government of Odisha

Bhubaneswar

 

Sub- Seeking an inquiry into illegalities and irregularities in allotment of land/plot to Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) , Bhubaneswar by IDCO , Govt. of Odisha

 

Sir

We  the  Social Activists  fighting  against  corruption in Odisha  bring  to your  kind notice  the  following matter  of public concern relating to IDCO land scam  for  your  urgent intervention and necessary action.

 

1.     That, in 2013, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India produced its  Audit Report ( under  the  caption head Report  of Comptroller and Auditor General of India -General and Social Sector  Volume-3 for  the year ended March 2012) to Govt. of Odisha  on  irregularities  and illegalities  on allotment  of land  by IDCO  to  KIIT  (Kalinga Institute  of Industrial Technology) along with  other  Companies and Institutions  in Chandaka Industrial Estate,  Bhubaneswar.  This CAG  has highlighted  how  KIIT  of Achyut Samant  and IDCO officials  are  hand in glove  in illegal transfer  of  land by IDCO and  undue  favour shown by IDCO officials  to  Achyut Samant  and allotted  82 acres  of  land illegally.

 

2.     In 2014, this Report  was  placed  in the assembly  by  the then BJD Govt.  which created  uproar among  the  MLAs  and  the  Civil Society Groups  outside  assembly  generating  demand  for CBI inquiry into  land scam in Odisha.

 

3.      In view  of mass protest and demand  of the opposition parties and Civil Society Groups demanding  for CBI inquiry into land scam,  the State Govt.  constituted  a Task Force  under Chairmanship of Dr. Taradatt on 3^rd June 2014  to  inquire into  huge  illegalities and irregularities  in allotment  of land and plot  by BDA, CDA, GA and Odisha State Housing Board. But  astonishingly,  the Govt. did  not  hand over IDCO land scam to Task Force for  inquiry. It was alleged  that  in order to protect  all irregularities of land allotted to  Achyut Samant, the then Govt.  did not authorize  task force to conduct an inquiry into it.

 

4.     So, we  request  your Govt.  to constitute  an inquiry  team to conduct   thorough investigation  into IDCO  land scam ( illegal allotment  of land  to KIIT and other institutions)  and bring to limelight  and take  necessary legal action against KIIT and other Institutions.

 CAG Report  is attached  for reference.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Members  of  OSAA