Odisha tribal land transfer row: BJP delegation meets Governor

“The intention of the government is doubtful,” said a memorandum submitted to the governor. Senior BJP MLA Mohan Majhi said the state government’s decision will leave the tribals landless. “It’s a conspiracy to snatch the land of the tribals. After protests, the government has decided to withhold the decision without withdrawing it completely. While we demanded to discuss the matter in the assembly through a motion, they did not allow it. Hence, we sought the governor’s intervention,” said Majhi.

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.

Since 2002, when the regulation was last amended, tribals were allowed to sell immovable assets only to other tribals. They were also allowed to mortgage their lands only for agriculture.

Within 48 hours of the decision, Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marndi announced it was withheld. Tribals comprise over 22 per cent of the state’s population.