Odisha Govt To Return Land Acquired For Vedanta University To Owners: Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to return the land acquired for the proposed university project of Vedanta Limited to the owners.

Sharing this information, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari told reporters on Wednesday that the modalities for return of the acquired land will be finalised in a day or two.

Stating that Vedanta had changed the name of the institution thrice, he said necessary formalities will be carried out for transfer of land accordingly. While the name was Sterlite Foundation initially, it was changed to Vedanta Foundation and then Anil Agarwal Foundation.

The government had decided to acquire land of 22 villages and some patches of government land. Accordingly, 4,178.84 acres privately-owned land were awarded for the university. The company was given possession of 3,342.53 acres.

A total of 692.02 acres land owned by the government was applied for leases. Out of these, the state government sanctioned 509.27 acres government land on leases. The possession was given for 494.98 acres and lease deed was signed for 57.21 acres.

It may be noted that Vedanta Ltd had signed an MoU with the Odisha government to set up a world class university in Puri in July, 2006.

Noting that nine of the total displaced households had moved the Orissa High Court, Pujari said , the HC questioned the frequent change of the names as well as the credibility of Vedanta in establishing the university.After hearing the petitions, the High Court in 2009, nullified the acquisition process for the project.

In 2023, the HC asked the state Government to return the land to the owners whether they had filed a case or not.

When Vedanta Limited moved the Supreme Court challenging the Orissa High Court order, the apex court upheld the verdict of the HC.

The Minister said the state government land leased out to the Anil Agarwal Foundation will be taken back as well.

In case of privately-owned land, the owners who have been compensated will return the compensation. Subsequently, the land will be returned to such owners and the Revenue Department will make necessary corrections in the records.