Odisha Govt to buy land from SC and ST owners to prevent exploitation

In a proactive move to protect land owned by Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Odisha, the State Government announced measures on Thursday to prevent appropriation of this land by wealthier individuals and organisations.

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This was announced by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari while speaking to media persons.

In instances where landowners need to sell for critical reasons such as wedding expenses, medical treatment, or education, the government will step in to purchase the land.

A special corpus fund is set to be established to facilitate the State’s purchase of such land, ensuring that rightful owners receive equitable payment.

A high-level committee, led by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department, has already been constituted to monitor this scheme. The committee includes the Principal Secretary and Director of the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, alongside senior officials and experts.

Engagement with tribal groups, political parties, and advisory legislative committees will be ongoing to ensure a well-rounded approach that reflects diverse viewpoints. The Revenue Minister stated that policy development will draw on the committee’s findings and these broader consultations.

Govt plans to hold the lands for 2-3 yrs

Committed to preserving community bonds, the government plans to hold the land for a period of two to three years, allowing the original owners the option to repurchase it. If not reclaimed, the land will, in turn, be auctioned exclusively to members of the SC or ST communities, preserving cultural and societal connections.

Opposition parties have expressed scepticism regarding the execution of this policy, though the government remains resolute in its objectives.

“The SC and ST people usually cannot sell their land to non-SC and ST persons. They are allowed to sell land only in emergency situations such as their daughters' marriages, children's education, or medical treatment of family members, typically when they run short of money,” the Revenue Minister said.

“However, it is often noticed that influential and wealthy individuals from non-SC and ST communities try to lure, pressure, or manipulate SC and ST landowners into selling their land. Many such individuals are applying at the Sub-Registrar Office under Sections 22 and 23 of the Odisha Land Reforms (OLR) Act, 1960,” the Revenue Minister added.

“We previously conducted a study through District Collectors and found that only around 10 to 15 percent of people voluntarily come to the Sub-Registrar Office to sell their land. The remaining sellers often act under coercion or pressure. Hence, we are trying to prevent such unethical activities,” Minister Pujari added.

Reacting to this, BJD leader Pramila Mallick said, “When does a government purchase people’s land? Land is sometimes purchased or acquired only to facilitate major development projects. They (the BJP-led government) are trying to bias and mislead people and the lands are likely to be grabbed by their Babus (officials).”

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“Land belonging to SC and ST communities will be purchased by the government. I do not think the government will support SC and ST people during their emergencies or succeed in this initiative. Tribals will never get justice. Eating mango kernels is their fate,” Congress MLA Ashok Kumar Das said, echoing a similar view.