The Odisha government is set to introduce a groundbreaking land exchange scheme to address the plight of landowners who have lost their property due to river erosion.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari announced that the state’s Revenue Department is drafting a new law to ensure that affected landowners receive equivalent land as compensation. This initiative, termed the “Land Exchange Scheme,” aims to provide justice to those whose lands have been submerged by rivers across the state.
The minister highlighted that the scheme will apply not only in the Cuttack district but also in other affected regions. The Revenue Department will update its records to reflect lands lost to rivers, enabling the allocation of equivalent land to rightful owners. District collectors have been instructed to collect data on such cases to facilitate the process. This move addresses long-standing issues, some dating back to 1963, where landowners in 37 villages, particularly in areas like Niali in Cuttack, have been unable to use their land despite holding valid pattas (land titles) due to river encroachment since 1982. In a recent meeting, the issue was thoroughly discussed, and the decision to amend existing laws to enable land exchanges was finalised.
Minister Pujari emphasised that the scheme will ensure fairness, stating, “Those who have lost their land to rivers will receive an equivalent amount of land from the Revenue Department.” The new law will streamline the process, ensuring that affected landowners across Odisha can reclaim their rights.
Additionally, the government has made significant progress in providing land titles to schools. Minister Pujari noted that 90% of the process to grant pattas to schools has been completed. However, challenges remain in cases where schools are built on forest land, as current laws allow land reclassification for primary education but not for higher education institutions. Efforts are underway to resolve these issues. Furthermore, schools lacking playgrounds will be allocated up to two acres of government land to promote holistic education.
The initiative has been welcomed by local communities, who see it as a step toward addressing decades-old grievances. The Revenue Department is now working on finalising the legal framework to implement the Land Exchange Scheme, with expectations of swift action to benefit affected landowners and educational institutions across Odisha.
