Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to resolve longstanding land-related issues, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik distributed Record of Rights (ROR) or land pattas to 10,000 Sikkim ryots from 26 districts during a special function on Tuesday in Bhubaneswar.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patnaik emphasized that addressing the concerns of the people has been the topmost priority of his government. The distribution of land pattas to Sikkim ryots is a historic resolution, bringing relief to the socio-economic lives of the recipients, who were previously devoid of land rights and faced hindrances in accessing government development programs for agriculture.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the issue was brought to his attention by Sikkim Ryots during a visit by 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman Kartik Pandian to Kendrapada district. Prompted by the Chairman’s concern, Chief Minister Patnaik directed the Revenue and Disaster Management Department to take swift action to resolve the matter.
Expressing joy over the successful resolution, the Chief Minister shared that similar land issues in Ganjam district, related to Gramkantha and Paramboke, were also resolved within a few days. This accomplishment reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing people’s problems.
Under this legal initiative, Sikkim ryots were granted hereditary and transferable rights to their land. Chief Minister Patnaik commended the Revenue and Disaster Management Department for suo moto filing cases and resolving the longstanding land issues.
5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman Kartik Pandian, coordinating the program, highlighted that the Sikkim Ryot problem persisted for over 50 years and was initially brought to attention during his visit to Kendrapada district. He commended the Chief Minister’s directive to complete the allotment of pattas for the remaining land promptly and ensure transparent distribution.
Several district-level functions were organized, and land pattas were distributed to Sikkim ryots by dignitaries like Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Government Chief Whip Prashant Kumar Muduli, MLA Pratap Kumar Jena, MLA Swarup Das, MLA Rajendra Kumar Sahu, MLA Subash Chandra Behera, and former State Planning Board Deputy Chairman Sanjay Kumar Dasburma, representing Chief Minister Patnaik.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Sudam Marndi expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Patnaik for resolving the longstanding problem of Sikkim ryots and highlighted the positive impact of his visionary leadership.
Approximately 2,50,000 Sikkim ryots and their heirs in Odisha are set to benefit from this historic initiative, providing them with land rights and empowering their socio-economic well-being. Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Satyabrat Sahu, delivered a welcome speech, outlining the challenges faced by Sikkim ryots and the department’s measures to address them.