Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is considering the possibility of waiving refund of compensation amount by farmers seeking the return of their land acquired for the proposed Vedanta University project.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari has assured that the interests of the farmers will remain a priority in the decision-making process.
The Minister stated that the government is adhering to the directive of the High Court, which requires individuals who received compensation for their land to return the amount to reclaim their property. However, he acknowledged that this condition could be a burden for many farmers.
“If the compensation amount becomes a hurdle for farmers to reclaim their land or if they demand a waiver of return of the compensation to get their land back, the government will give it due consideration,” said Minister Pujari.
He emphasized that any decision will be taken keeping in mind the well-being and concerns of the affected farmers. The Revenue Department is expected to consult stakeholders before arriving at a final resolution.
The Vedanta University project, once envisioned as a world-class educational institution, has faced prolonged legal and social challenges, with land acquisition being one of the most contentious issues.
