Odisha Cabinet To Reconsider Decision On Transfer Of Tribal Lands

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet has decided to reconsider its earlier decision allowing tribals in Scheduled areas to sell and mortgage their land to non-tribals, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marndi informed the House on Friday.

After careful deliberation, it would send the matter to Tribes Advisory Council for further examination and clarification, he said.

This came amid strong opposition from BJP and Congress, which stalled the Assembly proceedings for last two days.

On November 14, the Cabinet approved a proposal to amend the Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (by STs) Regulation, 1956, to allow the ST people to transfer their land to non-tribals in scheduled areas with a written permission from the sub-collector.

The Opposition parties, however, criticised the move, saying it would lead to tribals losing their land, their last source of sustenance. Following which, the Odisha government had put on hold the controversial decision.