IAS Divya Mittal is a 2013 Batch Officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre and is currently posted as district collector of Deoria,UP. Known for her proactive administration and strong personality. Her top two priority for the district  is to free illegally encroached government land and allocating land to disadvantaged communities so they can build homes of their own.

Encroachment of land being a pressing issue in many parts of UP.In Deoria, Mittal launched ‘Operation Kabza Mukti.’.Explaining a major issue she pointed out “Chakrods are pathways between farms, primarily used to transport equipment and for travel.However,farmers whose land lies adjacent to these paths often occupy and start using them for personal use.”

With a Community driven approach,Mittal is encouraging citizens to voluntarily cooperate, assuring that administration will be fair and impartial in measuring land “This is no longer a government program,” she said. “It has become a Jan Andolan, where people are working together for a better tomorrow by removing their own encroachments.”

Under her leadership,more than 596 sites have been already freed and locals are also welcoming and appreciating the efforts. A resident said, “Many families will benefit from this, and the value of all the farms around will increase too.” Another added, “This is a wave of change. It will help people understand that government land is government land, and it should not be encroached upon in any form.”

This unique and one-of-a-kind project is driving development by opening up critical arteries of the villages. “Encroachments not only hamper village development but primarily affect the poorest residents," she said.

Another important initiative led by her is not just her dream project,but one that is helping realize the dreams of many disadvantaged communities by providing  them with homes "Through ‘Awasi Patta’, tracts of government land are being allocated to them to build their own houses."

Under her leadership,in Udaypura- 137 Families from the extremely poor and deprived Musahar community have been provided tracts of land.Additionally,it is also being developed into a colony with roads,street lights and community toilets.

Further strengthening the 'Operation Kabza Mukti', this initiative is ensuring equitable distribution of resources. “These lands that are being freed are being used for various purposes—one of them is to benefit the most marginalized sections of society,” she said.