Masaya Solar Plant operation shut down with immediate effect

Solar plant on tribal land

Khandwa (Team Newsbuddy): Divisional Commissioner Indore Division Indore had received instructions to take action on the “complaint regarding setting up of solar plant on tribal land”, on which Collector Rishabh Gupta got it investigated by forming a team under the chairmanship of Joint Collector. In the investigation report given by the team, it has been found correct to “take land of tribals and set up plants on these lands” in large numbers in villages Dharampuri, Kanwani, Bhavsingpura, Badgaon Mali and Village Sivana of Khandwa district for Masaya Solar Plant.

Collector Gupta said that the investigation of the complaint makes it clear that the company has started production by setting up solar plants on the land of tribal farmers even before obtaining permission, which does not seem to be legally appropriate.

During the investigation, it was also found that in some cases, lands of people belonging to Scheduled Caste category were transferred forcefully by creating pressure, which is improper and illegal. It was also found clear from the investigation report that in some cases, lands belonging to people belonging to Scheduled Tribe category were also transferred without adequate compensation, which is a clear violation of the sections of M.P. Land Revenue Code. It was also found in the investigation that people belonging to Scheduled Tribe category were cheated by taking undue advantage of their illiteracy and money was withdrawn from their bank accounts without their knowledge.

Collector Gupta told that in some cases, the land belonging to people belonging to Scheduled Tribe category was transferred to the company and the company took possession of it and installed solar plants, which is a clear violation of the rules. During the investigation, it was also found that without transfer of Khasra, the company got the land diverted for industrial use only on the basis of possession, which is a clear violation of the rules of M.P. Land Revenue Code. Masaya Solar Energy Company has forcefully occupied about 27.64 hectares of government land of charnoi, nala, road and small bush forest items without any lease or acquisition, which is completely improper.

Collector Gupta told that in this regard “high level investigation will also be conducted against the then revenue officers, under whose supervision illegal occupation of government lands was done.” Collector and District Magistrate Rishav Gupta has ordered on the basis of the conclusion points of the investigation that a high level investigation should be conducted regarding encroachment and occupation of government lands. The operation of the solar plant should be banned with immediate effect until the lease or allotment proceedings are not done in respect of the encroached government land by the company, and permission for proper transfer is not obtained under the provisions of section 165 (6) of M.P. Land Revenue Code in respect of the land of persons of Scheduled Tribes. Sub-Divisional Officer Revenue Khandwa, General Manager, Power Grid Khandwa and Assistant Engineer M.P. The Western Region Electricity Distribution Company Khandwa has been ordered to take action in this regard. Collector Mr. Gupta said that the solar plant office has been sealed by SDM Bajrang Bahadur.