Bhubaneswar, March 12: Land grabbing has emerged as a big problem in the state with even government land falling prey to encroachers, who are often found to have a nexus with revenue officials.

Though the government set aside Rs 5.50 crore for the protection of its land in the 2011-12 annual plan, concerns in this regard keep growing.

A standing committee of the state Assembly has suggested that revenue inspectors (RIs) and amins be held responsible for any encroachment of land in their respective areas.

“There should be a provision in the law that RIs and amins would be held responsible for any land encroachment in their respective areas because they are the ones who can come to know about any attempt at encroachment,” said the committee in its third report.

Admitting that land encroachment was a major problem with preventive laws lacking teeth, the panel felt that the government should focus more on prevention instead of eviction, which was becoming increasingly difficult. Underscoring the role of RIs and amins who interacted with the people directly, the committee recommended that their services be benchmarked.

As suggested several times in the past, the committee sought changes in the Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006, in view of the increasing demand for land and other assets on it and recommended that land, instead of being given away in return for one time payment, should be given on rent to be collected annually.

The recommendation assumes significance in the backdrop agitations in different parts of the state against acquisition of land for industrial purposes.

“Instead of one time payment for land, the land should be taken on an annual rent basis. The rent should be paid by the government, which in turn, will collect the same from the land user. Government land should also be given on rent so that revenue comes regularly,” the report said pointing that a similar practice was being followed in states like Haryana and Rajasthan.

While the committees sought a white paper on the state’s land status, it recommended a fresh survey to ascertain the area of land actually under assured irrigation. “Till then, collection of water cess on land falling in the tail end of the canals be stopped,” it said, apparently worried about the fate of the farmers cultivating land in the tail-end areas of canals in different parts of the state.

The committee also expressed itself in favour of a law to check the fragmentation of “chakbandi” sale of agriculture land as homestead land in the market illegally by realtors.

“This needs to be prevented by enacting a legislation. Otherwise it will lead to litigation and law and order problems,” the report added.