NEW DELHI (India CSR): The Odisha government has officially declared that nearly 3,500 acres of private land in Puri district, initially acquired for the proposed Vedanta University, will be returned to its original landowners. This decision comes after a prolonged legal battle surrounding the university project proposed by Vedanta Limited.
Supreme Court Ruling Upholds Land Return
This move follows a 2022 Supreme Court decision that upheld a 2010 Orissa High Court order, declaring the acquisition of land for Vedanta University illegal. The courts found that the Anil Agarwal Foundation, which was to oversee the university project, was a private entity under the Companies Act of 1956, and not a public company, making the land acquisition non-compliant with legal provisions.
Finalizing Modalities for Land Return
Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari, confirmed that the government is working on finalizing the modalities for returning the land. “The specifics regarding the transfer process will be finalized shortly,” he stated, adding that various administrative steps are underway to facilitate the smooth return of land to its rightful owners.
Multiple Changes in Foundation’s Name
The minister highlighted that the university project underwent multiple rebranding efforts by Vedanta. Initially named Sterlite Foundation, it was later changed to Vedanta Foundation and eventually to Anil Agarwal Foundation. This shifting identity of the foundation has been a subject of scrutiny in recent years.
Government to Reclaim Leased Land as Well
The Odisha government will also reclaim 509 acres of government-owned land that was leased to the Anil Agarwal Foundation. For privately-owned land that was acquired, landowners who received compensation during the acquisition process will be required to return it to the state to have their land restored. The Revenue Department will make the necessary updates in land records following the return process.
The Initial Acquisition Under BJD Government
The initial acquisition process began between December 2006 and August 2007 under the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The project faced opposition from local communities and activists who argued that the land acquisition was unjust, given that the university was for a private foundation rather than a public institution.
Returning Land to Ensure Justice
This decision to return the land aims to provide relief to the affected families and landowners in Puri district, allowing them to reclaim property that had been tied up in legal and administrative conflicts for over a decade.
(India CSR)
