The Odisha government has announced plans to purchase land belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities to prevent exploitation by affluent individuals.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari made the announcement, stating that a special corpus fund will be established to facilitate the process.
The initiative aims to safeguard SC/ST families who may need to sell their land due to financial constraints such as marriage expenses, medical treatment, or children’s higher education. According to the minister, a dedicated committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department will oversee the fund. The committee will include secretaries from the SC/ST department, directors, and subject matter experts.
This protective measure ensures that landowners will have the opportunity to reclaim their property within two to three years if they wish to do so. The government’s step is expected to prevent wealthy individuals from pressuring economically disadvantaged communities into selling their ancestral property.
As discussions progress, the committee will gather input from legislative members, community leaders, and concerned stakeholders before finalising its report and making recommendations.
