Bhubaneswar, Nov 17 : The Odisha government on Friday withheld the proposed decision taken in the Cabinet meeting held on November 14 allowing the members of the Tribal Community in scheduled areas to transfer their land to non-tribals.
Revenue Minister Sudam Marndi on his social media account X said ‘’The proposed Amendment to Regulation of 1956 discussed in the Cabinet meeting held on 14th November 2023, regarding transfer of Tribal lands has been withhold.”
Odisha Cabinet on November 14 had approved a proposal to amend the Orissa Scheduled areas Transfer of immovable property (by scheduled tribes) Regulation,1956 which prohibits transfer of land owned by ST to non-tribals in scheduled areas.
The cabinet had decided that a member of the ST community can gift a land parcel to a non tribal for agriculture or industrial purpose. The individual can also exchange for public purposes or obtain a loan by mortgaging a plot of land in a public financial institution for agriculture, construction of residential house, higher studies of children, self-employment, business or establishment of small-scale industries.
Official sources said the Amendments were made on the basis of the recommendations of the Scheduled Tribes Advisory Council.
But the decision was vehemently opposed by opposition BJP and Congress. They threatened to hit the street if the decision was not withdrawn immediately.
BJP MLA Nityananda Gond said tribals will lose their lands if the new law will be implemented.
The State government, he said, was trying to provide the lands of the tribals to the contractors and land mafias. Earlier many illegal transactions have been made in this regard and now they were trying to legalise it, he alleged.
Gond threatened to stage protest across the state if the decision was not withdrawn.
Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati also opposed the cabinet decision.