Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 (FN Agency) In a significant and historic decision, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced to issue land pattas to the people displaced due to the construction of Hirakud Dam in 1960s. The decision to distribute land pattas to the displaced people was taken at a high level meeting on Saturday after 5T Secretary V K Pandian informed the Chief Minister about the complaints of people he received during his visit to the districts. The problems of Hirakud Dam oustees in Jharsuguda district are more than 50 years old. The meeting decided to solve the land problems of 19 villages— 18 villages of Lakhanpal Tahasil and one village of Jharsuguda Tehsil. The government will provide Records of Rights over around 3231 acres of land to 1749 families displaced by the Hirakud dam in the 1960s. Land pattas will also be provided to villagers of 17 villages in Sarada block in Ganjam district.
The distribution of land pattas to the affected people in Sarada block will commence from October 1 and for the displaced people of Hirakud Dam at Jharsuguda from December 1. In Ganjam district, the people have Rayat problem and the problem of land rights who are residing on government land since long time. The land pattas will be distributed from December in Limetikra, Sahasbag, Chit Lachapelle, Patra palli and Duamunda villages, official sources said. As many as 883 people of 17 villages of Sarada block will be given homestead land pattas. The distribution of pattas will be completed by September 23. Simila ly 168 people will be given land pattas for agricultural land and the process will begin from October 1. The Chief Minister directed the Collectors of the districts concerned to initiate steps to resolve the land related problems of the people within a time bound period. Patnaik will review the progress in the middle of this current month, the sources added.