New law in offing to safeguard share-croppers in Odisha

Odisha's revenue and disaster management minister Bijaysree Routray today said the government will bring a new legislation in the monsoon session of the Assembly to safeguard interest of share-croppers.
"Since share-croppers do not get compensation during natural calamities, the Bill will enable them to get compensation. Besides, the share-croppers will get input subsidy, insurance and loan on the leased land," Routray said.
Routray said this after chairing an inter-ministerial meeting approved the draft of the new bill. Besides Routray, the inter-ministerial panel comprises Cooperation Minister, Law and Panchayati Raj Minister, and Agriculture Minister.
He said the draft of the Bill will now be examined by the law department before being placed before the cabinet for approval.

According to the provision of the draft Bill, a land leasing agreement will be signed for a minimum of one year between landowner and sharecropper (lessee or tenant). The local revenue inspector will represent the government in the agreement, he said.
All three parties will keep a copy of the agreement; the share-cropper can use their copy to take out a bank loan, the minister said adding that the government will ensure that the landowners will not lose their right over their land in such a leasing arrangement.