Andhra-based Dr Rammohan Rao, who has been defrauding tribals in Rayagada district for years, was given responsibility of Koraput district by the Horticulture Department for promotion of palm oil cultivation and extraction of palm oil by establishing an oil mill in Koraput by extending huge subsidy in crores of rupees.

Thousands of acres of tribal and non-tribal land are under his control in Gunupur and Rayagada. There is no statutory agreement either done by the registration authority or by the Revenue Department. Rao has been defrauding the tribals of Rayagada district for years by paying Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000 per acre per year. He has not spared the Government land of 30 to 40 acres in the neighbouring Koraput district. That’s why the Tehsildar of Bandhugaon erected red flags on the land, issued Section 144 there and filed a case in the name of Rao.