97 yrs on,Orissa takes back land leased to Netaji family

Says lease conditions violated,used for commercial purposes

The Orissa government Saturday decided to take back about half an acre of land given to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his father 97 years ago in Puri after it found that lease conditions had been violated and the premise was unlawfully given on rent for commercial purposes.

During my spot visit and discussion with the people of the locality it was confirmed that the land with the building and its premises had been utilised otherwise. It is proved beyond reasonable doubt that the land is used for commercial purpose and also,lessees are not staying in the property, Revenue Divisional Commissioner Arvind Padhee said in his order.

The land was unlawfully given on rent to a person of Chinese origin to run a hotel. Currently the building is also given on rent to one Shankar Majhi by some of the lessees,which contradicts the lease agreement. It was painful to see a structure related to a patriot and statesman like Netaji in such un-cared condition.

In 1916,the Puri collector had leased out 0.434 acres of land to Netajis father Janakinath Bose and mother Pravabati Bose,who stayed in Cuttack. The lease was for 30 years and was meant for residential purposes. Janakinath Bose died in December 1934 leaving his wife and seven sons including Subhas Chandra Bose.

The lease was renewed in 1946 for another 30 years in the name of Netaji and his three brothers as well as six other first cousins.

After its expiry in May 1976,it was again renewed for 30 years in the name of sons,daughter and wife of Netajis brothers and cousins. But the descendants of Netaji during the lease renewal,executed in June 1982 excluded the names of Netaji and his brothers Suresh Chandra Bose and Sailesh Chandra Bose from deed agreement. But the revenue officials during land settlement process in 1987 entered Netajis name in the Record of Rights.

At present there is a dilapidated building standing on the land. During a recent visit,officials found the premises filled with sewerage water.

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A lone caretaker told them that a Chinese hotel ran in the building for about 20 years before it closed about a decade ago. The caretaker told the officials that he had been staying in the building for the last 10 years paying monthly rent of Rs 1200 to a descendant of Netaji.

Ordering the collector to take back the land for building a memorial in honour of Netaji,the RDC said the attitude of some of his relations attempting to delete the name from the lease deed in 1982 was saddening.