Bhubaneswar BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi has lambasted the ruling BJD for the recent State Cabinet’s nod to a proposal that permitted sale of tribals’ lands to non-tribals.
She said the move is clearly with a “malicious intent” to help some non-Odia land grabbers and select corporate houses.
She said that since strong discontentment was shimmering against the State Government over the tribal land sale issue, the BJD chose to cut-short the State Assembly session to just four days though the session was scheduled for 30 days.
Sarangi stated that the Cabinet proposal to amend the Odisha Scheduled Areas Transfer of Immovable Property (By Scheduled Tribes) Regulation, 1956 to allow sale of tribal lands to non-tribals was completely “anti-tribal”.
Sarangi also asked some questions regarding the regulation pertaining to transfer of tribal lands to non-tribals.
“The BJD says the Cabinet decision was taken in accordance with the recommendation of the Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC). If the TAC had recommended it in July 2023, why was it kept hidden from the public domain? Why no public consultation held? Who were the intended beneficiaries? Was it some non-Odia land grabbers or corporate groups who were behind this decision?” asked she.
She dared the State Government to make public the audio and video recordings of the TAC deliberations.
“Why did the government announce the Cabinet decision while such substantive amendments to the existing law require the approval of the President of India? How can they make a public announcement of a crucial amendment without seeking the assent of the President of India? Can the Chief Minister’s Office, Odisha, answer?” she questioned.