Jeypore, 5/12:  Residents of Jeypore are going to get back their land rights. They were unable to sell their landed property since 1984 as it was not transferable. This was not mentioned in the record of rights of around 2500 land holders. But this legal obstacle will be removed now, as announced by the Koraput district collector.

Though, the news has sparked off happiness among the residents, different political parties have started politics to corner the credit.

The long wait is likely to be over soon. Around 2500 land holders will get back their right to sell the land. Earlier, they were unable to get bank loan and sell their land as it was written in the record of rights that the land was not transferable.

Several social organisations had been demanding to remove the legal hurdle. Finally, the district administration has announced that the problem will be sorted out by coming March 31.

On the other hand, politics has started over the issue. Resolving the land problem was the main plank of Congress Party during 2014 general elections. The local MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati of Congress had been raising the issue in the state assembly. But the ruling Biju Janata Dal was responsible for the deadlock over the issue, alleged Bahinipati.

On the other hand, BJP has accused the district administration of favouring both the ruling BJD and Congress. “How could the district collector hold press conference at government office where political leaders were present”, questioned local BJP leaders threatening to take to streets over the issue.

However, whosoever may corner the credit, it’s the land holders who will be benefited in the long run if the district administration’s decision is implemented.