Section 7(1) in The Orissa Merged Territories (Village Offices Abolition) Act, 1963
(1)All abandoned and surrendered holdings in the possession of the holder of a Village Office and all waste lands reclaimed by him from and after the 1st day of January, 1949 shall be, so far as may be practicable, settled with the previous holders or their heirs, or with landless persons and small-holders of land in the prescribed manner.
