Bhubaneswar: In a significant move, the Odisha government on Friday decided to review its earlier decision on the transfer of tribals’ land to non-tribals. A decision in this regard was taken in the state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Lok Seva Bhawan today.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Niranjan Pujari told the Assembly that the Cabinet approved several key proposals on Friday, including the decision to send the amendment of the Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immoveable Property (By Scheduled Tribes) Regulation, 1956, to the Tribal Advisory Council for further review and necessary changes.
It is worth mentioning here that on November 14, the Odisha Cabinet approved an amendment to allow tribals to transfer their immovable properties to non-tribals with a written order from the sub-collector. It also allowed them to mortgage land with public financial institutions for purposes other than agriculture.
However, the government put its decision in this regard on hold on November 17 following stiff opposition from the BJP and Congress in the state.
The opposition to the government’s move continued during the Winter Session of the Odisha Assembly, which began on November 21. BJP and Congress legislators stalled the proceedings of the House on November 22 and 23 over the issue and no business could be undertaken by the House on these two days.
