Bhubaneswar: In a historic decision for the larger interest of Scheduled Tribes (STs), the State Cabinet chaired by Naveen Patnaik today decided to amend the Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (by STs) Regulation, 1956 to allow the STs to sale their land to other category people.
In view of the larger interest of Scheduled Tribes (STs), Regulation-2, 1956 is being enforced in the Scheduled Areas of the State. In 2002, after some amendments were made in this Act, a person belonging to the ST category can transfer his immovable property only to the person belonging to ST only, said Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena.
As per the Regulation, a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe in a scheduled area can mortgage his land to any public financial institution for agricultural purposes only. Due to such provisions, the educated youth belonging to STs were facing many difficulties, Shri Jena said.
Realizing this problem, he said, basing on the recommendations of the Scheduled Tribes Advisory Council, some amendments to this Regulation have been approved by the Cabinet.
As per the decision, now, a ST person may, with the written permission of the Sub- Collector, make a gift or exchange for public purposes or obtain a loan by securing a mortgage in a public financial institution for agriculture, construction of residential house, higher studies of children, self-employment, business or establishment of small scale industries or transfer the same favour of a person not belonging to ST for the above purpose.
However, after such transfer, he should not be landless or homestead less, said the Chief Secretary. If the Sub-Collector does not grant permission, then the person can appeal to the Collector within six months, whose decision shall be final, he added.
The State Cabinet has also approved another proposal of Revenue and Disaster Management Department to sanction lease of Government land measuring 9.400 acres in Gothapatna Mouza under Bhubaneswar Tahasil in favour of Xavier Institute of Management (XIM) Society for setting up of a new Loyola School on free of premium.
The organization will have to pay one time payment of incidental charges of 10% of the market value of the land and annual ground rent of 0.25% of the market value of the land and cess 75% of the annual ground rent.
