‘Irregularities’ in M’bhanj ponds auctioning

While Hatbadra panchayat in Mayurbhanj district earned the highest annual revenue of around Rs 2 crore by auctioning its ponds for fishing, there is a panchayat like Bahanada which has 51 ponds but its revenue from auction is too meager thanks to irregularities.

Petty workers of the ruling party and supporters of the local MLA have a big say in the auctioning process who manipulate it for vested interest. The ponds are auctioned first for a pittance and later, re-auctioned in favour of people, close to them, for a bigger price and the money is pocketed by this influential section.

It is alleged that while on records, each pond goes for an auction of Rs 100-Rs  300, while re-auctioning, each fetches a staggering Rs 30,000-Rs 1lakh. The supporters of the local MLA whose followers execute such underhand deals not just pocket the money but collect fish and sell at higher rates.

Such a nexus has come to light in Patisari panchayat under Badsahi block where 11 panchayat ponds have been settled in auction for next 3 years with a revenue of Rs 100 to Rs 300 each.

 However, on the contrary, the local MLA’s followers of the panchayat and another section of villagers are at loggerheads over the auction and the latter have moved a petition before the Orissa High Court which recently disposed the case with a direction to solve it locally. This has been, meanwhile, a shot in the arm of the local leaders who in cahoots with some officials are settling these ponds for a pittance, overlooking the loss of the panchayat.