Committee to draft bill to safeguard interest of sharecroppers

Odisha government today set up a five-member committee to prepare a suitable draft bill for bringing a new legislation or amending the existing land reform laws to safeguard the interests of sharecroppers.
This was decided at the inter-ministerial group headed by Revenue minister Maheswar Mohanty. The inter-ministerial committee resolved to set up the five-member committee of senior officials as it could not finalise the draft bill for the purpose.
The five-member committee would comprise senior officers from law, cooperation, agriculture and revenue departments, said Mohanty.
"The committee will submit report in 14 days, following which the inter-ministerial committee will take the final call on the draft bill on June 19," Mohanty told reporters.

He said the government has been trying to give justice to the sharecroppers who do not get any benefit in event of crop loss. The new legislation will recognise and protect the rights of sharecroppers, Mohanty said.
The sharecroppers are expected to get the benefit of crop insurance, compensation in case of crop loss and all other benefits provided by the state government, sources said.