Evaluate the performance of the first Congress Ministry in Odisha (1937–39) under Biswanath Das. Focus on the tenancy and education reforms.

After the creation of Odisha as a separate province in 1936, the first general elections under the Government of India Act 1935 were held in 1937. The Congress won a decisive majority, and the first Congress Ministry was formed on July 19, 1937, under the leadership of Biswanath Das. This ministry, though short-lived, made pioneering efforts in pro-peasant legislation and socialistic educational reforms.

1. Tenancy Reforms (Agrarian Relief)

The primary focus of the Biswanath Das ministry was to alleviate the suffering of the Odia peasantry, who were burdened by the Zamindari system:

  • Orissa Tenancy (Amendment) Bill, 1937: This was the landmark achievement of the ministry. It sought to grant ownership rights to the Raiyats regarding the trees and constructions on their land.
  • Abolition of Salami: The bill abolished Salami (illegal compensatory payments) during the transfer of land, which was a major source of exploitation by the Zamindars.
  • Reduction of Interest: The interest rate on arrears of rent was drastically reduced from 12.5% to 6%.
  • Madras Estate Land (Amendment) Bill: For the farmers of South Odisha (Ganjam and Koraput), the ministry tried to reduce rents to the level of Ryotwari areas, though this faced heavy opposition from the Governor.

2. Education and Social Reforms

The ministry viewed Education as a tool for national awakening and character building:

  • Basic Education (Nai Talim): Inspired by the Wardha Scheme of Mahatma Gandhi, the ministry established the Board of Basic Education in Odisha. A training school was opened at Bari to promote craft-centered education.
  • Adult Literacy: Massive campaigns were launched to reduce illiteracy in rural Odisha, involving students and volunteers during summer vacations.
  • Harijan Welfare: The ministry provided special grants and scholarships for the education of students from the Depressed Classes and opened several common schools for all castes.

3. Other Key Initiatives

  • Prohibition: As a Gandhian measure, prohibition of opium was introduced in the districts of Balasore and Cuttack.
  • Separation of Judiciary: The ministry took the first steps toward separating the Judiciary from the Executive to ensure impartial justice.
  • Civil Liberties: All political prisoners were released, and the draconian bans on various nationalist organizations and literature were lifted.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Biswanath Das Ministry served as a bridge between colonial administration and self-rule. Despite the financial crunch and the constant friction with the British Governor regarding the Zamindari interests, the ministry successfully proved its pro-people credentials. Their resignation in 1939 on the issue of World War II was a sacrifice for national dignity, but their work in tenancy and education remains a gold standard for welfare governance in early modern Odisha.