Odisha proposes stronger safeguards for disabled people’s property rights
Odisha has formulated guidelines aimed at protecting people with disabilities from losing inherited and self-acquired property through coercion, fraud or unlawful occupation. Proposed measures include complaint registers, faster inquiries and monitoring by revenue authorities, following concerns raised by activists and affected residents.
The Odisha government has formulated guidelines to strengthen protection of property and inheritance rights for people with disabilities. The proposals were developed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, after officials identified cases in which people with disabilities were allegedly coerced, deceived or unlawfully deprived of ancestral, inherited or self-acquired property. One person who has sought such protection is Balunkeswar Paikray, a visually impaired resident of Khordha district.
Paikray says he has spent 35 years trying to reclaim his share of inherited property and is entitled to about 40,000 square feet among three siblings. He now lives in a space of less than 300 square feet. The three-page guidelines suggest that Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Department issue comprehensive directions to revenue authorities.
They propose registers of property-rights complaints at tehsil and sub-collector levels, with periodic monitoring by district collectors. The guidelines also call for prompt inquiries into allegations involving illegal occupation, encroachment, cultivation, mutation or alienation of property belonging to people with disabilities. Revenue officials would be expected to ensure that affected people and their lawful heirs are not deprived of legitimate shares through fraud or coercion.
Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar Vashishth said people with disabilities were particularly vulnerable to economic exploitation and discrimination in property matters. He recommended sensitisation and capacity building for revenue officers. State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Bratati Harichandan said the effort involved several departments.
She said grassroots officials should also be sensitised so people forced from their homes could access housing schemes and secure accommodation. Activists said people with disabilities needed safeguards comparable to protections available under revenue laws for some Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe landholders.
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