The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has approved amendments to existing legislation, allowing Scheduled Tribe (ST) members to sell land to non-tribals in scheduled areas, with certain restrictions to prevent landlessness. The move, based on recommendations from the Scheduled Tribes Advisory Council, aims to address concerns raised by the ST community and boost industrialization. The amendment is to the Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (by STs) Regulation, 1956, and follows 2002 amendments that restricted ST-category citizens to transfer property only to other tribals. The decision is expected to provide economic opportunities and support development in the state.
In a significant development, the Odisha Cabinet, during its recent session chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has decided to amend existing legislation to permit members of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community to sell their land to non-tribals in scheduled areas. This decision, following the recommendations of the Scheduled Tribes Advisory Council, aims to address concerns raised by the ST community. According to Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, a crucial aspect of the amendment is that a member of the ST community will not be allowed to sell all plots under their possession to prevent them from becoming landless. The move is anticipated to boost industrialization in the state, providing new opportunities for economic development. The amendment pertains to the Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (by STs) Regulation, 1956. Notably, in 2002, amendments were made to this regulation, restricting ST-category citizens to transfer immovable property only to other tribals. This provision had posed challenges for many members of the ST community, prompting the need for reform. Previously, prior to the 2002 amendments, land owned by a member of the ST community was not sellable. Under the revised regulations, an ST individual can now gift, exchange for public purposes, obtain a loan by mortgaging a plot of land in a public financial institution for various purposes such as agriculture, construction of residential houses, higher education, self-employment, business, or the establishment of small-scale industries. Additionally, land can be transferred in favour of a person not belonging to the ST community for these specified purposes. However, to sell the land, an ST person must obtain written permission from the sub-collector. In case the sub-collector denies permission, the individual can appeal to the collector within six months, with the collector's decision being deemed final, as outlined by Chief Secretary Jena. In another key decision, the Cabinet approved the construction of Phase-1 of the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project, stretching from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia Square in Cuttack, covering a distance of 26 km. The Cabinet has given the green light for engaging the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) as a turn-key consultant for the execution of Phase-I. This ambitious project comprises 20 metro stations along the route, with an estimated cost of Rs 5929.38 crore and a targeted completion timeline of four years. Furthermore, the Cabinet endorsed a recently announced scheme aimed at improving infrastructure and patient care in public healthcare facilities across the state. Additionally, it approved a tender of Rs 307.87 crore for the execution of two mega piped water supply projects in Bolangir district under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), demonstrating the government's commitment to advancing crucial sectors and addressing the diverse needs of the populace.
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