In all 585.63 acres was provided to HARP in 1976. Later, “the statement proposal number 1RVIII 1981-82 to transfer it was sent to the state Government as per the legal procedure. But the Bihar Government’s order approving this proposal was not received,” states the AC’s letter.

Subsequently, state Secretary (Revenue) Vishnu Kumar in his September 25 letter to the Ranchi DC stated that 285.63 acres of land “where HARP had not undertaken any work and was in its possession” be acquired.

“Prepare a map of this land and send it. Also, make available plot-wise details and a separate map of 85 acres of this land so that it can be allotted for the MLA and MP housing scheme,” ordered Kumar.

While Ranchi DC Avinash Kumar is learnt to be in the process to honour Secretary Kumar’s order, HARP’s Principal Scientist Shivendra Kumar on Saturday countered these officers’ contention.

“We do not have any land where there was no plant or nursery,” said Kumar.

Asked why the Government order pertaining to the transfer of the land which was handed over to HARP by the erstwhile Bihar Government in 1976, was not notified till date, Kumar replied that HARP was not responsible for it. “During the past 30 years, we had written dozens of letters requesting the officers concerned of the Bihar and Jharkhand Government to do the needful, but in vain. Now, instead of rectifying their lapse, they were out to grab our land,” said Kumar.

When The Indian Express approached the CM for his reaction on Kumar’s assertion, Koda said he would look into HARP’s case. “We will send a team of officials to take stock of the land afresh,” he said.