Orissa is one of the hazard-prone states of the country. The State encounters one form of calamity or another--flood, cyclone, heat wave or drought--almost every year. Besides these natural hazards, fire accidents cause loss of life and damage to property during summer season. Although the State has not experienced a severe earthquake in the past, a sizeable portion of its territory is situated in the moderate earthquake zone, namely, Zone-III. Some cases of death due to lightning also occur during rainy season.

The socio-economic vulnerability of the people turns these natural hazards into disasters. With nearly 90% of the population living in disaster-prone areas and about 66% below poverty line, the coping mechanism of the State and its people are continuously under severe strain. Several initiatives have been taken to prepare the community to meet the challenges posed by natural disasters, but there is hardly any time left to complete the process. The frequency and gravity of the disasters give little scope to reap the benefits of these initiatives.

In general, during 2005, no severe calamity had been experienced except incidents of flash flood situation in some districts. Due to abnormal rainfall in some part of the State during the month of June to October, the State experienced medium floods (in five phases) during the year, 2005. The districts mainly affected by these medium floods were Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Kandhamal, Cuttack, Puri, Nayagarh, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Gajapati, Boudh, Malkangiri and Rayagada.

Besides the above districts, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Angul, Deogarh and Koraput districts were also affected by heavy rain during the year. Due to flood/heavy rain, 89 Blocks, 923 GPs, 4440 villages, 20.59 lakh population and 93.684 Hect. Crops areas of the State were affected Q.26923.69 of rice, Q.2387.68 of Chuda, Q.249.47 of Gur and 35 Kgs of sugar had been distributed among the flood affected people. 3821 polythene sheets had been provided to the affected people for construction of temporary shelter. ODRAF teams were deployed in relief and rescue operation; 155 powerboats were pressed into service. 234 medical teams and 53 Veterinary teams were engaged in affected areas. 2,44,977 Halogen tablets and 31,978 ORS packets were also distributed to the affected people. Moreover, 28 tube wells were repaired, 4485 tube wells and 5885 wells were disinfected. 15.022 persons had been evacuated from low lying areas. Free kitchen had been provided to 5,118 people for three days. In addition, 4,835 MT cattle feed had been supplied to the affected districts; the State Government had thus tackled the situation effectively.

During 2005 Kharif season, pre-monsoon rainfall was deficient by 37% in comparison to the normal rainfall. The arrival of monsoon during the year 2005 Kharif was late by nearly two weeks. The monsoon rain started from 24th June’2005. There was heavy rainfall during the last part of June. Still the rainfall during June was deficient by 15% to the normal rainfall. The rainfall during July was excess by 26% to the normal. Overall rain received during June and July was deficient by 11%, whereas in August 2005 the rainfall was deficient by 44%. In August 2005, 28 out of 30 districts received rainfall ranging from 30% to 73% less than normal rainfall, which threatened the prospect of Kharif crop during the year 2005.

During 2005 Kharif season, an area of 58.21 lakh hectares had been programmed to be covered, out of which 38.00 lakh hectares were to be used for cultivation of paddy and 20.21 lakh hectares for non-paddy crops. Up to the end of September 2005, 35.97 lakh hectares were covered for paddy as against last year is coverage of 37.58 lakh hectares. The non-paddy coverage was 22.25 lakh hectares during the year.

Owing to late arrival of Monsoon, and scanty and inadequate rainfall during the month of August 2005, the inter-cultural activities like transplantation and beausaning work were delayed in some districts. It was further observed that due to erratic monsoon this year, moisture-stress conditions were noticed in many districts.

The weather and crop situation of the state was reviewed by the Hon’ble Minister, Revenue and Hon’ble Chief Minister time to time during the month of July, August and September’2005. The Committee of Crop Weather Watch Group was also constituted under the chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner, Orissa to monitor the progress of Kharif crop on weekly basis.

It was decided that the Lift Irrigation Points, which can be made operable after minor repair at a cost not exceeding Rs.5000/- per point, would be repaired within 7 days in the areas where it was felt absolutely necessary to save the sanding crop form moisture stress condition.

But due to good precipitation in the month of September and October’ 2005, the scenario of kharif crop condition had improved a lot. Over all Kharif crop condition is normal during this year.

A 15 days training programme on special launch driving was conducted batch wise from 25.5.05 to 17.7.2005 at Crew Training Institute, Chandabali, for 40 personnel from Fire Services and 28 personnel of ODRAF Unit.
A mock drill “Sagar Surakshya” was conducted by the Army personnel of Punjab Regimental Centre, Ramgarh and the State Government at Baliapal and Basta of Balasore district. The exercise conducted during the period from 5th June to 13th June 2005 aimed at streamlining the co-ordination between the army and the civil administration while responding to the occurrence of a natural calamity. A full -fledged State Emergency Operation Centre has started functioning round the clock from 27.10.2005 on the ground floor of Rajiv Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.

In the year 1998, the State had experienced a severe heat wave situation. The heat wave condition in Orissa is becoming increasingly prominent and a regular feature. The State Government is taking a number of preventive measures each year along with extensive awareness campaigns in order to make people conscious about fatal effect of the heat wave. Each year steps are being taken to issue a set of Do’s and Don’ts through print and electronic media to alert the general public, so as to minimise heat wave related casualty. Necessary arrangements are made every year for the treatment of persons suffering from heat-stroke in each PHC, CHC, Hospital and Medical College round the clock; life saving drugs and other inputs required for treatment are kept in stock. Uninterrupted supply of drinking water in urban areas, adequate supply of drinking water at the places of public congregation and in drinking water scarcity areas are being organized through urban local bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions and voluntary agencies, in summer season.
As per the provisions of Paragraph-254 of Orissa Relief Code, ex-gratia amounting to Rs. 10,000/- is being paid to the next of kin of a bereaved family of each victim of sun-stroke from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The State Government have moved the Government of India for the inclusion of heat-wave in the category of natural disasters to provide assistance to the Sun-Stroke victims from CRF. During the year 2005, 233 persons reported to have died due to heat wave. Assistance @ Rs.10,000/- (Ten thousand only) has been sanctioned and paid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the next of kin of bereaved family of each sun-stroke victim.

As per the observations of the National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi in their proceedings dated 17.1.2003 in case No. 37/3/97-LD, relating to “Right to Food”, Government in Revenue Department have decided to amend certain paragraphs of Orissa Relief Code to extend food assistance and other medical assistance to the people who are in destitute condition either due to poverty or being affected by any natural calamity and to prevent cases of death due to starvation and malnutrition in their Resolution No.14088/R dt. 30.3.05.

Whenever a report of death due to starvation is published and it comes to the notice of the Collector, he shall immediately cause an enquiry into the allegation. The enquiry shall be conducted by an Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar, in the presence of Sarpanch, Ward Member or some gentleman of the village.
In case of death due to starvation, an UD, Case should be registered in the local Police Station and Post-mortem should be conducted. Finding in the post-mortem report should weigh in deciding the case of starvation.

Para 168(a) - Food Assistance on cards is sanctioned by Government for a larger duration depending on the intensity of a natural calamity on conditions as may be prescribed. It can also be sanctioned by Sarpanch up to 10 days, B.D.O up to to 30 days, Sub-Collectors up to 45 days, and Collectors up to 120 days, all cumulatively in cases of starvation and malnutrition.

Para – 168 (c) Sarpanch should ensure that grains allotted under social benefit and Food Security Schemes of Government of India and Government of Orissa are lifted regularly and disbursed to the beneficiaries in time.

(g) In Paragraph-169 of ORC it has been added that – “ Collectors, who are also the Chairpersons of the district Red Cross Societies have a key role for treatment of ailing persons who are covered under Food Assistance on cards. Local Medical Officer and BDOs may recommend to the Collectors the expenses to be incurred to meet medical expenses of the infirm, nursing mothers, critically ill and destitute etc covered under the provision of Food Assistance on cards and they may also involve local SHGs/ Anganwadi Centres for taking care of such destitute ailing persons.

(1) With World Bank funding, the following durable and disaster- resistant works/ structures have been completed.
(a) 133 packages of road work
(b) 35 Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelters (MCS)
(c) 337 package of Irrigation work.
(d) 63 packages of rural water supply and 19 package of Urban water supply works.
(e) 500 Agro Service Centers.

(3) 11 road works were taken-up with CRF out of which
9 have been completed and remaining 2 are under progress.

(4)5744 pucca primary school buildings and 1139 high school buildings have been constructed in the coastal districts to serve as school-cum-cyclone shelters. These buildings have been constructed with funds made available from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Operation Black Board, National Fund for Calamity Relief, Calamity Relief Fund, MPLADS fund, Non-Governmental organizations and donors.

(5) 1002 primary school buildings have been constructed and handed over under DFID assisted Reconstruction of School Building Programme. 540 more such buildings are at the finishing stage of construction.

(6) 216 health institutions have been improved by utilizing funds received out of Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

(7) 2555 Lift Irrigation Points (LIPs) have been revived with DFID support and handed over to Pani Panchayats.

Besides, several preparedness measures, capacity building activities, policy-planning initiatives, livelihood support activities are undertaken by OSDMA. Publications of quarterly newsletters, production of IEC matsid, including training manuals, posters, booklets and video films for awareness generation of common people constitute a few other activities. The Government of India has formulated the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project to be implemented in 13 cyclone prone States including Orissa during the period 2005-2010 with assistance from World Bank.

Release of CRF/NCCF in favour of S.R.C. Orissa, Cuttack from 2001-2002 to 2005-06.

( Rs. In crore)

Computerisation of Land Records Project has been launched in the State with hundred percent financial assistance from the Government of India. Out of an estimated cost of Rs.2986.76 lakh, Government of India has released Rs.2893.54 lakh. Out of this, an amount of Rs. 2286.14 lakh has been spent by the State Government so far 153 out of 171 Tehsils in the State have been computerised and all of them have been made operational by 31.12.2005.

(ii) Uplinking of Tehsils with Sub-divisional District and State Headquarters :-

The Government of Orissa has initiated uplinking Tehsil headquarters with Sub-Division, District and State headquarters with an estimated cost of Rs.636.00 lakh with hundred percent assistance from Government of India. Government of India have released Rs.507.00 lakh so far. Out of this the State Government have spent Rs.47.20 lakh. The project could not make much headway as the tender called for the work has been stayed by Hon’ble Orissa High Court

Digitisation of cadastral survey maps has been taken up on a Pilot Project basis in four Tehsils i.e. Koraput, Rayagada, Salipur and Narasinghpur with hundred percent financial assistance from Government of India. Further digitisation of Cadastral Maps of Kendrapara and Bolagarh Tehsils have been taken up with 50% financial assistance from Government of India and balance 50% by the Government of Orissa. In the mean time, digitisation of Cadastral Maps in respect of Salipur, Bolagarh and Narasinghpur have been completed and work is in progress in the remaining Tehsils.

The State Government have decided to issue Land Pass Books to all the land holding families of the State. Initially, the programme has been launched on a pilot basis in district headquarters Tehsil of each district and Bhubaneswar, Rourkela and Berhampur Tehsils ( total 33 Tehsils). In all these Tehsils, distribution of Land Pass Books has commenced w.e.f. 26.1.2006 and 86,577 Land Pass Books have been distributed. Government in the Revenue Department has now extended this scheme to all the remaining 138 Tehsils of the State, vide order no. 5978/R dt.17.2.06.

The State Government have also decided that prescribed application forms shall be made available to the people free of cost at the local R.I. Offices. Besides, the intending applicants are also allowed to use photocopies of the prescribed application forms. Each Tehsil of the State shall be the unit for the purpose of issue of Land Pass Book .The Land Pass Book can be used as an authentic document for the purposes of
(i) Caste Certificate, (ii) SEBC Certificate for educational purposes, (iii) Legal heir certificate for limited purposes, (iv) Income certificate, (v) Residential certificate , (vi) identification of BPL families (vii) Farmer’s Identity Card.

The cost of a Land Pass Book shall be Rs .20/-. However, it will be made available free of cost to BPL families.

For regulating the issue of Land Pass Book, “The Orissa Land Pass Book Rules- 2006 “ has been framed by Government.

In the first phase, a sum of Rs 10.00 crore has been sanctioned to implement the Scheme.

1. A comprehensive proposal for modernizing and reforming the land administration system was submitted to the Government of India for accessing DFID grant.

2. The proposal is aimed at strengthening the land administration through introduction of comprehensive reforms of land tenure including titling, cadastral survey and settlement operations using hitech technology, land registration transactions through e-Governance and streamlining the Revenue Laws.

4. The project shall be implemented over a period of six years in three phases, each phase consisting of a period of two Years.

5. The proposal has been considered and approved by Government of India in Ministry of Rural Development, Planning Commission and Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance have recommended to DFID to release Rs.244.23 crores in the first phase.

Conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose was completely banned u/s-8(i) (C) of O.L.R. Act, 1960. But to allow conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purpose in a limited scale and in genuine cases, Section-8(A) has been inserted by O.L.R. (Amendment) Act, 1993, which is effective since 01.07.1994. According to the amended provisions, the Tehsildars (Authorised Officer) can allow conversion and collect premium for the conversion as prescribed u/s-8(A) (3) of the Act. Corresponding amendment to Orissa Land Reforms (General) Rules, 1965 has been made by inserting Rule-12(A), which is effective from 29.11.97. The new rule prescribes the form of application, the form of lease deed, the notice form, the manner of enquiry, etc.Since its inception till 30.11.2005, a sum of Rs. 76,45,97,489/- has been collected towards premium for disposal of conversion cases, out of which an amount of Rs.10,70,12,346/- has been collected from 1.4.2005 to 30.11.2005.

(iii) Collection of Revenue from Land Revenue and Water Rate

The collection position of revenue from Land Revenue (inclusive of miscellaneous revenue) and Water Rate during the last 5 years was as follows:

(i) (a) Regulation on Transfer of Land Belonging to Scheduled Tribes in Scheduled Areas of the State:

In order to control and regulate transfer of immovable properties by the members of the S.Ts in the Scheduled Areas in the State, the Regulation 2 of 1956 has been enacted. The Regulation prohibits, among other things, transfer of immovable properties belonging to members of STs in favour of persons not belonging to STs. Any such transfer shall be null and void, if the same has been made without written permission of the competent authority. In case any transfer has been made in contravention to this provision in the regulation, the competent authority either suo-motu or on a petition filed on that behalf, shall declare such transfer as illegal and shall restore the land to the lawful land owner or his/ her heirs. The regulation also provides for eviction of persons in forcible occupation of the land belonging to members of STs and restoration thereof. The Regulation provides for penal action in respect of illegal transfer as well as unauthorised occupation.

In spite of such provisions in the Regulation, it has come to the notice of the Government that large-scale alienation of tribal land to non-tribals has been made in the scheduled areas of the State and as such it has become a matter of great concern for the State Government as well as the Government of India. To put an end to this problem, the Government of Orissa have made necessary amendments to the Regulation 2 of 1956, which came into force with effect from 4.9.2002. As per the amended provisions of the said Regulation, transfer/ alienation of land belonging to STs to persons not belonging to STs has been completely banned. The progress achieved under Regulation 2 of 1956 since its inception till the end of December 2005 is indicated below:

(A) 1. No. of cases instituted -1,05,984
2. No. of cases disposed of- 1,05,738
3. No. of S.T. beneficiaries -64,489
4. Extent of land ordered to be restored -Ac. 56,341.00
5. Extent of land actually restored -Ac.54,940.00

(B) The achievement under Regulation-2 of 1956 during the year 2005-06 till December is indicated below:
1. No. of cases instituted -1,433
2. No. of cases disposed of -1,109
3. No. of S.T. beneficiaries- 675
4. Extent of land ordered to be restored -Ac. 587.00
5. Extent of land actually restored -Ac. 546.00
( Including previous pendency)

(i) (b) Transfer and Restoration of Land u/s 22,23 & 23A of OLR Act,1960

As per section 22 of OLR Act, any transfer of land belonging to STs / SCs to people not belonging to STs/SCs without the prior permission of the competent authority is declared void. Under Sections 23 and 23A of OLR Act, there is provision for restoration of land of SCs & STs to the respective recorded tenant, if it has been transferred without prior written permission of the competent authority or if the land has been under unauthorised occupation by non-SC and non-ST persons.

The details regarding the number of persons belonging to SCs & STs benefited under the provisions and the land restored to them u/s 23 & 23 A during 2005-06 (up to 31.10.2005) are given below:

The management of land and its distribution to the needy persons are the foremost responsibilities of the Revenue Department. Government land up to four decimals is being provided to the homestead less persons for house-site purpose since the year 1974-75. Vigorous attempts are being made from the highest level of Government down to the field level to expedite the implementation of this important work. 2,49,334 homestead less families have been identified in the State. This year Project ‘Vasundhara‘ has been launched on a mission mode under which all the homestead less families shall be provided with house sites within a span of three years.

During the year 2005-06, up to January 2006, 36,285 homestead less families, which include 17,829 ST, 9, 244 SC and 9212 other category families, have been provided with house sites as reported till date.

In order to improve the economy of the weaker sections of the society and to boost agricultural production in the State, ceiling surplus land up to 0.7 standard Acre is being allotted free of salami to the landless persons for agricultural purpose since the year 1974-75. This item has also been included under 20 point programmes being implemented by Govt. of India.

During the year 2005-06 up to 31.1.2006 a total of Ac.123.98 of ceiling surplus land has been distributed among 288 landless families. Category-wise details are given below:

With a view to improving the economy of the weaker sections of the society and to boost agricultural production, Government land up to one standard acre is being allotted free of salami to landless persons since 1974-75
During the current year, by January, 2006 Government land to the extent of Ac.3711.74 has been distributed among 3896 landless families. Out of this, land to the extent of Ac.1762.18 has been given to 1698 S.T families, Ac 733.71 to 820 S.C. families and Ac. 1219.85 to 1378 landless families belonging to other categories.

Since 1974-75 till the end of January 2006, 7,30,344.85 acres of Government wasteland has been distributed among 4,71,620 landless families. This figure includes 3,81,017.19 acres of land given to 2,28,192 ST families, 1,74,072.42 acres to 1,02,589 SC families and 1,75,255.24 acres to 1,40,839 landless families belonging to other categories.

Government have taken a decision to settle the lands in Bebandobasta khata either with the ex-intermediaries/ their successors/ eligible purchasers or to take the land into Government khata, where settlement could not be made. In this regard, detailed guidelines have been issued vide Revenue Department letter No.57677 dated 6.12.2000. As a result, vast chunks of land, which were in Bebandobasta status, have been settled for rent. With regard to achievement on this score during the year 2005-06 till 30.09.2005, out of a total number of 7925 cases involving an area of Ac.11,645.161, 623 cases involving an area of Ac. 1126.553 have been disposed of, leaving a balance of 7302 cases with an area of Ac.10518.608. Revenue Department is reviewing the matter regularly and suitable instructions are being issued from time to time to the field functionaries to clear up the pendency within a definite time frame.

Bhoodan Movement was initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave on 18.4.51 with the objective of minimising the difference between the haves and the have-nots. Since then land was received by way of donation from benevolent land owners and the same were distributed among the landless persons under Bhoodan Act, 1953 and Rule 1954 which was replaced by Bhoodan Act, 1970 and Rules 1972.

Out of a total area of Ac.6, 38,706.50 dec. of Bhoodan land received by way of donation, Ac. 5,79,984.21 dec. of land have been distributed among 1,52,852 landless person and Ac. 58,722.29 dec. Bhoodan land is yet to be distributed. Steps are being taken for quick distribution of balance Bhoodan land among the land less person.

As per instructions of Finance Department, the Departmental Monitoring Committee of Revenue Department have examined the position of submission of compliance notes on the outstanding paras of the C &A.G. (Civil and revenue Receipt) Reports, P.A.C. (A.T.N) Reports.

ii) Out of total 28 paras of the P.A.C. (ATN) reports, compliance notes on 14 paras have been sent to the OLA. Action is being taken to furnish compliance on the balance 14 paras.

iii) There are 135 cases of Misappropriation losses etc. shown outstanding against Revenue Department. Out of the same compliance notes on 40 cases involving amount of Rs.4, 84,795.38 have been sent to the OLA for kind consideration of Hon’ble P.A.C. to drop the same in their next meeting.

i) Lease of Ac. 7.00 of Government land has been sanctioned in favour of Bijupattnaik College, Boden in the District of Nuapada vide Letter No. 5411/R., dated. 4.2.2005

ii) Lease of Government land measuring an area Ac. 30.60 has been sanctioned in favour of the Principal Navodaya Vidyalaya, Narla in the district of Kalahandi for construction of Building and staff quarters vide letter No. 27552/R., dated. 12.7.2005.

iii) Lease of Government land measuring an area Ac.20.50 has been sanctioned in village Kamando of Bonai Tehsil in favour of M/S. Rungt Mines Ltd. for establishment of Sponge Iron Plant vide letter
No. 41592/R., dt. 22.10.2005.

iv) Government have accorded sanction of alienation of Government land measuring Ac.16.80 in mouza Lakhanpur under Nayagarh Tehsil in the district of Nayagarh in favour of Home (Police) Department for establishment of Reserve Police line Office vide Revenue Department Letter No. 31704 dt. 8.8.2005.

v) Government have accorded sanction to the alienation of Ac.132.230 of Government land in mouza-Tulasideipur under Bhubaneswar Tehsil of Khurda district in favour of Home (Police) Department vide Revenue Department letter No. 14435 dt. 31.3.2005 for establishment of Special operation Group.

vi) Government vide letter No. 33192 dt. 16.8.05 have accorded sanction of alienation of Government land measuring Ac.20.00 in mouza-Gurujanga under Khurda Tehsil of Khurda district free of premium in favour of Novodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Ministry of ARD, and Government of India for establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Khurda district.

vii) Government vide letter No. 48922 dt. 9.12.05 have accorded sanction to the advance possession of Ac.20.678 of Government land in mouza Andharua under Bhubaneswar Tehsil of Khurda district in favour of Science & Technology Department for establishment of Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Application.

viii) Lease Ac. 12.00 of Government land in village Makaput under Jeypur Urban Area has been sanctioned by Government in favour of site Co-ordinator M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Jeypur vide Revenue Deptt.Letter No. 17670/R, dtd.28.4. 2005.

ix) Lease of Ac.1.43 Government land sanctioned in village – Gundurinal under Talcher Tehsil in favour of N.T.P.C. Kaniha for MGR Rly, line Stage –II vide Revenue Deptt. Letter No. 27016/R, dtd. 7.7.05

x) Lease of Ac.4.33 Government land in village-Takua of Talcher Tehsil sanctioned in favour of NTPC, Kaniha for construction of Ash pond vide Revenue Deptt.Letter No .27020/R., dt. 7.7.05.

xi) Lease of Ac.1.67 of Government land in Village – Kaniha under Talcher Tehasil sanctioned in favour of NTPC Kaniha for construction of Ash Pond vide Revenue Deptt. letter No.26888/R., dtd. 5.7.05.

xii) Lease of Ac.0.24 of Government land in village Alori under Talcher Tehasil sanctioned in favour of NTPC, Kaniha for construction of Ash Pond vide Revenue Deptt. letter No.28931/R., dtd.222.7.05.

xiii) Lease of Ac.0.47 dec. Govt. land in village Patharmund under Talcher Tehsil sanctioned in favour of NTPC Kaniha for construction of main plant vide Revenue Deptt. letter No.28925/R., dtd. 22.7.05.

xiv) Lease of Ac. 11.480 Government land in village Talakbeda under Talcher Tehsil sanctioned in favour of NTPC, Kaniha for construction of main Plant vide Revenue Deptt. letter No. 30275/. Dtd. 30.7.05.

xv) Lease of Government land measuring Ac.1.650 including building sanctioned in favour of Sri Sri Jagannath Mandir Parichalana Sanstha, Koraput vide Revenue Deptt. letter No.43396/R. dtd.3.11.05.

xvi) Lease of Government land measuring Ac. 84.78 free of premium in village Badigaon under Pattangi Tehsil sanctioned in favour of ICAR for establishment of Regional Research Centre of Central Soil and water Conservation in Koraput District vide Revenue Department letter No.1976 dtd. 18.1.06.

12.Construction of New Non-Residential, Residential Buildings for Revenue Districts after re-organisation, 1993.

After reorganisation of thirteen Revenue districts into thirty, it became necessary to provide accommodation for functioning of different offices in newly created Revenue districts. It became necessary to take up new constructions and annual maintenance by way of repair works of old existing buildings used for Collectorate, Circuit House, Rest Shed, Inspection Bungalow, Sub-Collector's Office, District Sub-Registrars Office, Excise Office, Land Acquisition Office, Tehsil office and Offices of Revenue Inspectors to avoid functioning of these offices in buildings taken an payment of rent..

The Collectors have identified 5069 number of Hamlets for declaring them as Revenue village. So far 595 number of hamlets have been declared as Revenue Village and B.C.P. in respect of 291 hamlets have been rejected due to none fulfilment of Revenue criteria. Steps are being taken at various levels in respect of balance 4183 hamlets for declaring them as Revenue Village.

By the end of March 2005, 93865 mutation cases were pending in different Tehsils. Further, 2,54,480 new cases were instituted during the period from April,2005 to December 2005, the total number of cases for disposal rising to 3,48,345. Out of which 2,26,409 No. Cases have been disposed of till the end of December’ 2005.

For constitution of Reserve Forest, final notification has been issued for Ac. 13874.89 in the following districts of Orissa in 2005-06.

Until recently, the issues of resettlement and rehabilitation were addressed with project-specific policies, which were divergent in nature. Attempts were made to address these problems by formulating an independent Policy on Orissa Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Project Affected Persons policy, 1994, for water Resource projects policies for Rehabilitation and Resettlement of displaced/ persons/ families in connection with establishment of major Industrial Projects and mining projects, 1998.

Subsequently, it was noticed that these policies substantially served the purpose of rehabilitation and resettlement; yet there were a few shortcomings, which were required to be addressed. Government, as promised in the Industrial Policy Resolution, 2001, have, therefore, decided to formulate a uniform Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy for the project affected families which would be applicable to the entire State of Orissa.

(i) With a view to appropriately address the R&R issues of displaced / affected persons of RSP and Mandira Dam Project a High Level Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Revenue vide Revenue Department Resolution No. 20075/R dt. 3.5.05.

The committee met at Rourkela on 4.7.2005 under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary, Revenue and was attended among others by M.D. RSP/MP Sundergarh/MLAs of the district and Collector, Sundargarh, S.P. Rourkela. After detailed deliberation the RSP authorities were advised to take early steps for rehabilitation of the left out displaced / affected persons as per the joint verification undertaken earlier by them with the district administration. The proceeding of the meeting has since been released to all relevant quarters and the matter is being persued at Government level at regular intervals.

Since RSP authorities are not responding property Hon’ble Chief Minister has brought the matter to the notice of Hon’ble Prime Minister and has requested his intervention to solve this long pending issue.

(ii) Consequent upon his nomination as the Nodal officer for expansion of NH projects in the State, Principal Secretary, Revenue conducted a review meeting on 16.7.2005 to review the progress of acquisition of land for expansion of NH in the State. The meeting was attended by the respective Collectors and the NH authorities. Various decisions were taken in the meeting to remove / sort out the bottlenecks in the way of speedy implementation of the project. The proceeding of the meeting has since been communicated to all concerned vide Revenue Department Letter No. 32417/R dt. 10.8.2005.

(iii) In the wake of frequent agitation launched by the persons displaced / affected due to establishment of the NALCO and MCL in the districts of Angul, Sundargarh and Jharsuguda, Principal Secretary, Revenue took a meeting on 19.7.2005 with the officials of the concerned PSUs/ industries Collectors / SPs of the concerned districts also attended the meeting.

The importance attached by State Government for adequate and proper rehabilitation of displaced / affected persons was made clear to the NALCO and MCL authorities in the meeting. They were also told to implement the decisions of RAC/PDC without any delay as the decisions of RAC/PDC are binding upon them. Necessary instructions to the above effect have been issued to all concerned quarters.

(iv) The 3rd State Level Advisory and Co-ordination Committee meeting and consultation workshop on formulation of R & R policy for the State was held on 27.5.2005. The proceeding of the meeting / workshop has since been released.

(v) Although guidelines regarding rehabilitation and resettlement of families/ persons displaced/affected due to acquisition of land for Kalinga Nagar Integrated Industrial complex at Duburi in the District of Jajpur was issued earlier vide Revenue Department order No. 3963 dt. 20.1. 1997 it was felt necessary to formulate a revised guideline incorporating the modifications issued from time to time keeping in view the ground realities. Accordingly, revised guidelines were issued incorporating all previous modifications and including some new provisions such as House Building Assistance, benefit to encroachers, etc. vide Revenue Department order No. 45425/R dt. 18.11.2005.

(vi) In the mean while, it was felt necessary to review all the Resettlement and Rehabilitation policies presently in force for various sectors and projects and to come out with a uniform & comprehensive R & R policy for the State so as to address the R & R issues of project displaced / affected persons in a proper manner. Revenue Department was made the nodal department for resettlement and rehabilitation of project displaced/affected persons in the State and was entrusted with the responsibility of forming a draft policy.

Further, in pursuance of the recommendations of the House Committee on rehabilitation, Revenue Department also issued instructions vide Resolution No. 47825 Dt. 2.12.2005 that decisions taken in Rehabilitation Advisory Committee and Periphery Development Committees shall be final and binding on all concerned so far as they conform to the approved resettlement and rehabilitation policy of the State.
Pursuant to the above decision of Government a set of draft resettlement and rehabilitation policy has been formulated by Revenue Department. Government in the meantime constituted a Group of Ministers under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister, R.D., Industries and Law to go into details about the provisions of R & R policies presently in force and to submit their recommendations within a month for necessary action vide Revenue Department Resolution No. 739 dated 6.1.2006.

In pursuance to the above decision of Government, the Group of Ministers have met thrice on 12.1.2006, 28.1.2006 and 27.2.2006 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister, R.D., Industries and Law. The aforesaid meetings were attended by other members of the Group of Ministers, Secretaries of departments concerned, RDCs, Collectors and several invitees including tribal leaders, eminent leaders, academicians, people’s representative and social activists. It was decided to solicit the views of all political parties, social activists, tribal leaders besides MPs/ MLAs of the affected area on the R & R issues before formulating the recommendations of the sub-committee. The next meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled be held on 9th March 2006.