Odisha Introduces New SOP for Part Plot Registrations to Simplify Land Transactions

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department of Odisha has unveiled a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for part plot registrations, set to transform land dealings across the state. The new rules replace all previous instructions and aim to bring uniformity, transparency, and ease of use to what was once a bureaucratic maze.

Simplified Land Sales and Part Plot Registrations

Under the SOP, land sales can proceed smoothly, with part plot registrations now permitted without prior approvals in rural areas for all land types except water bodies. For water bodies, only full plot registrations are allowed to safeguard resources.

In areas governed by the Town Planning Authority, written permission is still required, but there are key exceptions:

• Ancestral family properties can be subdivided freely.

• A single subdivision of plots under 500 square metres is allowed, provided it is not for real estate development.

• Agricultural lands can be subdivided freely for farming purposes, with applicants submitting a self-declaration in Form D.

Legal Oversight and Accountability

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari highlighted the legal foundation of the SOP, citing the Registration Act, 1908 and the Odisha Registration (Amendment) Act, 2013, calling it a “game changer for the land market in Odisha.” Registration officers are required to verify maps, boundaries, and declarations before approving transactions to ensure legality and compliance.

Boost to Ease of Living and Real Estate

Experts are praising the move as a milestone in ‘ease of living’, aimed at reducing transaction times that previously hindered property dealings. A Bhubaneswar developer noted, “You no longer have to navigate endless red tape; transactions will be faster, creating more opportunities to earn.”