Odisha Government’s New Policy to Protect SC/ST Land Rights
The Odisha government has recently introduced a significant policy aimed at safeguarding the land rights of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). This initiative seeks to prevent the distress sale and exploitation of land owned by these communities
New Policy Highlights: Direct Land Purchase Scheme for SC/ST Communities
Objective:
To protect SC/ST landowners from coercive or distress-driven sales by enabling the government to purchase their land directly during emergencies.
Key Features:
Establishment of a Corpus Fund:
A dedicated fund will be created to facilitate the government’s purchase of land from SC/ST individuals facing financial hardships due to reasons like medical emergencies, educational needs, or family obligations.
Temporary Government Ownership with Buy-Back Option:
The government will hold the purchased land for a period of 2–3 years, during which the original owners have the option to repurchase it at the original sale price.
Community-Restricted Resale:
If the original owners are unable to repurchase the land within the stipulated period, the land will be auctioned exclusively to members of the same community, ensuring that land ownership remains within SC/ST groups.
Formation of a High-Level Committee:
A committee, led by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department and including representatives from the ST & SC Development Department and other experts, will oversee the implementation of the scheme.
Stakeholder Consultations:
The government plans to engage with tribal and Dalit organizations, political parties, and legal experts to finalize the operational details and ensure the policy’s effectiveness
Legal Context:
- Under the Odisha Land Reforms (OLR) Act, SC/ST landowners are restricted from selling their land to non-SC/ST individuals without prior approval from the sub-collector.
- Despite these restrictions, there have been instances where influential individuals have coerced or lured SC/ST landowners into selling their land.
- The new policy aims to provide a protective mechanism that allows SC/ST individuals to access funds during emergencies without permanently losing ownership of their land.
Implementation Status:
- The policy is currently in the planning phase, with the high-level committee working on the standard operating procedures.
- Legal reviews are underway to ensure compliance with existing land laws and to determine if any amendments are necessary.
- The government is also studying similar models from other states to incorporate best practices.
This initiative represents a proactive approach by the Odisha government to empower SC/ST communities by protecting their land rights and providing financial support during critical times.
