“My ₹2,000 from 1981—Will the Government Finally Give Us Land?” Senior Journalist Questions Bihar State Housing Board

Patna, February 21, 2026: The Bihar State Housing Board (BSHB) is once again in the spotlight, this time due to a long-standing grievance raised by senior journalist Surendra Kishore. Kishore has taken to social media to demand accountability for a deposit of ₹2,000 he made in 1981, which was meant to secure a plot of land in Patna’s Digha area.

The 1981 Deposit

Kishore explained that on April 15, 1981, he deposited ₹2,000 into the Housing Board’s account at the State Bank of India, taking a loan for the amount as he did not have sufficient personal funds. He retained the receipt, which he still carries, as the government, along with land mafias and other vested interests, allegedly sabotaged the housing scheme. The Board later instructed depositors to withdraw their advance payments, leaving thousands like Kishore in limbo.

Fraudsters Yet to Be Punished

Kishore highlighted the lack of accountability, noting that while other high-profile fraud cases in India led to jail sentences, over 11,260 depositors in Patna have yet to see justice. He emphasized that pursuing one’s own money from government offices can be humiliating, and his dignity outweighs potential financial compensation.

Clash Between Bureaucracy and Law

The journalist also recounted the mismanagement during Bihar’s “Jungle Raj” period, where senior officials, politicians, police, and land mafias were implicated in illegal encroachments on the Housing Board’s Digha land. In 2002, the Patna High Court directed the government to remove encroachments, threatening action if ignored. Disagreements between the Chief Secretary and the DGP at the time highlighted bureaucratic inertia, delaying justice further.

High Court’s Firm Stance Today

Kishore noted that the current government appears to comply with High Court directives, which have criticized Housing Board officers and local police for accepting bribes and enabling encroachments. Justice Sandeep Kumar ruled that if officials are not held accountable, the court would not hesitate to take action. The court has also suggested that depositors from 1981 who did not withdraw their advances should be allotted plots in Digha.

Hope for the Present Government

Kishore pointed out that on February 19, 2026, Home Minister Samrat Chaudhary informed the Bihar Legislative Council that 25 acres of land in Rajiv Nagar and Digha would be freed from encroachments within one and a half months. He questioned whether the Housing Board would now allocate plots to those who had deposited money decades ago, without subjecting them to bureaucratic harassment.

Alleged Personal Interests of Officials

Kishore also alleged that a former Chief Secretary had used his influence to exclude his own 4-acre property from the 1,024-acre Digha acquisition, leaving small farmers vulnerable. Land mafias took advantage of the situation, acquiring land at extremely low rates and leaving depositors like Kishore financially and emotionally strained.

Through his post, Kishore highlighted the continuing challenges faced by thousands of honest citizens who trusted the Bihar State Housing Board decades ago and are still awaiting justice and land allotment.