Cuttack, May 9 (KNN) The transformation of Jagatpur Industrial Estate (JIE) into a model MSME hub of Odisha has been delayed owing to the rift between the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) as the municipality has sided with encroachers in the wake of eviction notice issued by IDCO. 

Commenting on the matter CMC Mayor Subhas Singh has stated that there is no chance of eviction of any slum without the consent of CMC as the civic body is the enforcement agency. 

A discussion will be held with the slum dwellers about their relocation and rehabilitation and then the process of eviction will be taken up, he added.  

IDCO has served notice to 143 persons in the Balisahi including the newly-elected deputy mayor’s mother to recover the encroached land. 

Around 500 MSMEs are operating in the estate, which is providing direct and indirect employment to around 10,000-plus people.

As per media reports, IDCO has total 237 acre of land in the estate which is sufficient for carrying out the developmental and welfare projects but as many as 40 acres are said to be under encroachment. 

Moreover IDCO is facing opposition from the CMC, which has alleged that the industrial infrastructure agency had not informed the civic body before issuing eviction notice. (KNN Bureau)