Five-member panel to prepare report on new land leasing legislation

Bhubaneswar: The fourth inter-ministerial committee on Thursday decided to form a five-member panel to prepare a report before introducing a new land leasing legislation to protect the interests of both sharecroppers and landlords.

Revenue and disaster management minister Maheswar Mohanty, who chaired the meeting, said the panel comprising secretaries of revenue, agriculture and cooperation departments will prepare a blueprint on what could be done to safeguard the interest of sharecroppers deprived of government benefits, including assistance during natural calamities, crop loan, insurance and fertilizer at subsidized rate.

“The panel will submit its report within 14 days after analyzing every aspect of the sharing pattern of produce between sharecroppers and landlords. Accordingly, the next meeting will be convened on June 19 to discuss the enactment of the existing Odisha Land Reforms Act 1960,” the minister added.

Food supplies minister Surya Narayan Patro, agriculture minister Damodar Rout, panchayati raj minister Pradeep Maharathy and SC & ST development minister Ramesh Majhi also attended the meeting.