Bhubaneswar: Allegations of large-scale housing fraud have surfaced at Buddha Vihar, a rehabilitation colony meant for displaced residents of Salia Sahi.
Locals claim that many homes have been allotted to individuals who neither reside in the slum nor qualify under the relocation scheme.
During a recent survey, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials discovered locked homes, non-resident occupants, and cases where beneficiaries were renting out their allotted units while continuing to live in the slum.
Residents allege that political and bureaucratic influence may have played a role in manipulating the allotment process.
Of the 176 homes allotted in the first phase, only 60–65 are reportedly occupied by genuine slum dwellers. The rest, locals claim, have gone to outsiders, including relatives of government officials and political figures.
Salia Sahi residents are demanding a public release of the beneficiary list and have warned of protests if transparency is not ensured.
A community meeting held last night called for an end to repeated harassment under the guise of surveys and urged BMC to prioritise rightful claimants.
The Buddha Vihar housing project was designed to rehabilitate families affected by the construction of a 200-foot road. However, the current controversy threatens to derail its credibility and purpose.
