NCST orders arrest of Chhattisgarh Revenue Secretary in land grabbing case related to Dainik Bhaskar

New Delhi: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has ordered the arrest of Chhattisgarh Revenue Secretary Neelam Namdev Ekka in connection with land grabbing case linked to one of the companies of Dainik Bhaskar Group.

‘DB Power Limited’ of Dainik Bhaskar (DB) group reportedly defrauded farmers belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in Janjagir-Champa district of Chhattisgarh, in garb of setting up a power plant there.

The IAS officer Neelam Namdev Ekka has been told to appear before the Commission by April 1, 2022.

The Commission had summoned the Revenue Secretary as well as Chhattisgarh State Development Corporation MD Arun Prasad on March 24. Latter appeared before the panel but Neelam Namdev remained absent, following which a notice has been issued for his arrest.

It may be noted that back in July 2021, the Dainik Bhaskar group was raided by the Income Tax Department over alleged financial irregularities.

In this case of fraudulent land grabbing, the NCST has launched an inquiry over allegations made on the DB group at Janjgir in Chhattisgarh. The commission received complaints about illegal purchase and sale of tribal land by DB Power Limited of Dainik Bhaskar Group.

According to a report by Asia Net News Hindi, DB Power Limited operating in the power sector, bought land from many farmers on pretext of setting up a power plant in the Janjagir-Champa district. It employed a local agent for purchasing land. He bought the land from tribal people at throwaway prices and then sold the land to the business conglomerate.

Big Breaking : Dainik Bhaskar Group is accused of illegally grabbing land meant for Scheduled Tribes in Janjgir of Chattisgarh. National Commission For Scheduled Tribes to look further into this matter. pic.twitter.com/EeeIjD5jqR

— Ashish (@aashishNRP) March 6, 2022

According to laws of land, if a tribal person buys land in the community, he need not take any permission. But, if a non-tribal buys their land, it is mandatory that he takes permission from the District Collector.

According to reports, the Dainik Bhaskar Group employed the agent to buy land from tribal people at cheap rates and then got the land transferred in its name.

Also, the Chhhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation also acquired a huge chunk of land from the tribals and sold it to the DB Power Limited. According to corporation, the land was facilitated to the company for setting up power plant but the whole mode of usurping tribal land by fraudulent means has ignited huge controversy.