Odisha passes bill providing land rights to slum dwellers

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Legislative Assembly, on Thursday, September 2, passed the Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers (Amendment) Bill 2021 that assigns land rights to identified slum dwellers. Pratap Jena, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Government of Odisha, said that the enacted law will provide land rights to slum dwellers that will not exceed 45 square meters (sq mt) and a maximum of 65 sq mt in slums situated in the Notified Area Councils. 

If in a situation, the maximum area is exceeded, then the land in actual occupation of slum dwellers will be settled. Jena said that if a slum dweller is in possession of land that is less than 30 sq mt, it will be declared as the extent of occupation. 

The Odisha University of Health Sciences Bill 2021, that aims to bring uniformity across the academic programs in medical and related subjects was also passed by the Assembly. Under the University of Health Sciences Bill, the aforementioned University would establish a systematic training and research program in modern medicine, mental health education, dental education homeopathy and Ayurveda, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy etc.