34 years on, farmers ‘deceived’ over land for sugar mill in Odisha’s Nabarangpur

A case of lost development and alleged administrative negligence has come to the fore in the Nabarangpur district, where several farmers are now expressing their frustration after an anticipated sugar mill project proposed by the administration 34 years ago has now gone for a toss.

Sources cited accounts from farmers in the outskirts of Nabarangpur, specifically in the Hirli and Chutiaguda villages, who are still waiting for the promised sugar mill, which was supposed to come up on the land given up by them.

Land Acquisition for Sugar Mill in 1991

Reportedly, the Odisha Revenue and Excise Department issued a notification on January 24, 1991, for setting up a sugar mill, recognizing the growth and demand for sugarcane farming in the district.

For this purpose, 120.24 acres of private land and 89.12 acres of government land were acquired. Allegedly, many farmers who were reluctant to give up their land were forcibly made to transfer ownership after being promised unprecedented development of their region.

“In 1991, a gazette notification was issued by the Odisha government for the establishment of a sugar mill here. We were made to give up our land and were promised development, but nothing has materialised since then,” said a senior farmer.

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Sugar Mill Project Went Dormant

By 1995, the company responsible for establishing the industry reportedly backed out, leaving the landowners’ hopes shattered. Further, the administration never floated another tender for rejuvenating the project.

Since then, the land has remained unused, yet it has not been returned to its rightful owners. Many affected farmers have made relentless rounds of the Tehsil office and the District Collector's office, but no steps have been taken to return the land.

Legal Provision Ignored

As per the law, if the acquired land remains unused for five years for the proposed project, it should be returned to the original landowners. However, these rules were completely ignored in this case.

In 2005, part of the acquired land was reportedly used for the Kusumi Minor Irrigation Project by the then BJD government. Later, in 2023, the Nabarangpur Tehsil office transferred the land to IDCO (Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha), triggering strong opposition from the affected landowners.

As such, the farmers now demand either the promised industrial establishment or the return of their land.

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Allegations haunt district administration

Repeated demands for land restitution by the affected farmers have been ignored, despite some even offering to return the compensation money they received. The farmers allege that their voices are being silenced.

“We have approached the administration many times and told them to take the money and give our land back. Even the then Revenue Inspector had assured that if farmers returned the compensation amount, they would get their land back. However, the administration is unwilling to do the same,” alleged another farmer.

District Administration’s Response

Speaking on the matter, Nabarangpur Sub-Collector Prakash Kumar Mishra stated that since compensation had already been provided to the landowners after the acquisition, the land was legally transferred to IDCO. However, he assured that any grievances would be addressed through administrative discussions.

“The beneficiaries have received compensation as per provisions of the law. Further, the land is now with IDCO. If they (the farmers) have any issue, then we will certainly look into it,” added Mishra.