The Naveen Patnaik Government on November 24 rescinded its decision to amend Orissa Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (By Scheduled Tribes) Regulation, 1956 (OSATIP) which would have allowed transfer of tribal land to non-tribals.
The OSATIP not only prohibits the transfer of tribal lands but also criminalizes any forced alienation in scheduled areas. A cabinet held in the middle of winter session of Odisha Legislative Assembly, approved proposal of rescinding amendment to OSATIP.
In a statement made in State assembly on Friday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marndi said, “The cabinet had on November 14 taken a decision to amend OSATIP basing on the recommendation of Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) held on July 11, 2023. Now, cabinet had again recommended further deliberation of the issue in TAC.”
