Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday approved revised financial assistance rates for families displaced by development projects, announcing the 10th biennial revision under the Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006. The new scales will be implemented from 1 April 2026 and remain in force until 31 March 2028, a government statement reported by PTI said.
What has changed
The revisions raise several components of rehabilitation grants, including assistance for self‑rehabilitation, housing construction, one‑time compensation in lieu of employment for displaced families and farmland acquisition grants. Monthly maintenance and allowances for temporary shelter and transport have also been increased.
| Item | Previous rate (₹) | Revised rate (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Self‑rehabilitation (outside colonies) | 1,13,128 | 1,16,550 |
| Housing construction assistance | 3,39,383 | 3,49,650 |
| Monthly maintenance allowance | 4,525 | 4,662 |
| Temporary shed assistance | 22,626 | 23,310 |
| Transportation allowance | 4,525 | 4,662 |
One‑time assistance in lieu of employment
The government has fixed differentiated lump‑sum assistance for families displaced by industrial and mining projects. The revised slabs for industrial project displacement are:
- Category I: ₹11,65,500
- Category II: ₹6,99,300
- Category III: ₹4,66,200
- Categories IV and V: ₹2,33,100
For families displaced by mining projects, the rates are the same for Categories I–III, with Categories IV, V and VI fixed at ₹2,33,100.
Farmland compensation
Grants for agricultural land have been revised upward. For irrigated land, the rate has moved from ₹2,26,255 per acre to ₹2,33,100 per acre. For non‑irrigated land, the rate has increased from ₹1,13,128 per acre to ₹1,16,550 per acre.
Administrative sign‑off and implementation
The Finance Department has given concurrence to the revised rates. The statement said concerned departments, Revenue Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, revenue authorities and other implementing agencies have been informed about the new rehabilitation grant scales.
What affected families should note
- Revised rates are applicable for displacements and claims processed within the policy period: 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028.
- Families classified under different compensation categories should check category determination records with district collectors to confirm entitlements under the revised slabs.
- Those undergoing self‑rehabilitation should ensure documentation of land and housing expenditures to claim the updated assistance.
While the government communication sets the financial scales, operational questions—such as the procedure for disbursal timelines, verification norms and the handling of pending cases—will be addressed by local revenue authorities and collectors, the statement added.
Context and implications
The Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy, 2006, provides a framework for compensation and support to people displaced by infrastructure, industrial and mining activity across the state. Biennial revisions under Clause 13 are intended to adjust rates for inflation and changing cost structures. This is the policy's 10th biennial revision of financial rates.
Officials said the adjustments aim to provide a more realistic assistance level for housing, land replacement and temporary upkeep for displaced families. The increases are modest in absolute terms but meant to standardise grants across administrative units.
District administrations will be the first point of contact for beneficiaries seeking clarification or commencing claims under the revised schedule. Affected families are advised to retain copies of all land, identity and displacement records and to approach the local collectorate for case‑specific guidance.
The Finance Department concurrence marks the final administrative step before the rates are operational across departments handling land acquisition, project clearances and rehabilitation delivery.
(Report based on a government statement carried by PTI.)
