The Odisha Government has issued comprehensive directions to strengthen the protection, documentation and management of land belonging to Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri, making the safeguarding of the deity’s properties a top administrative priority across the state.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department has instructed all revenue authorities to take immediate steps to protect temple land and ensure the prompt disposal of pending land-related cases.
Revenue Secretary Issues Statewide Directives
In a letter addressed to the Board of Revenue, all Revenue Divisional Commissioners (RDCs), District Collectors and the Director of Land Records and Surveys (DLRS), Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, directed officials to act on a priority basis.
Dr. Padhee said the protection of Lord Jagannath’s land is a collective responsibility and emphasized that the deity’s properties are an important part of Odisha’s heritage. He instructed officials to strictly follow the law, government guidelines, court orders and directions issued by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) while dealing with temple land matters.
Over 11,600 Revenue Cases to Be Expedited
The department has directed officials to ensure the speedy disposal of 11,675 miscellaneous revenue cases filed by the SJTA across various tehsils in Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Ganjam, Cuttack and Kendrapara districts.
Officials have also been instructed to immediately implement orders passed by the Board of Revenue in 257 cases filed by the SJTA under Section 7(A) of the Odisha Estates Abolition Act.
Verification of Historic Land Records
The government has ordered officials to verify historical land records, including the 1927–28 Record of Rights (RoR), wherever required, to correct land ownership records.
Authorities have also been directed to examine earlier revenue records from 1888–89, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1929–30 and 1977–78 to ensure that all temple properties are accurately recorded in accordance with the law.
Certified copies of old and current Records of Rights, along with settlement records and land reconciliation reports, will also be provided to the SJTA to facilitate effective handling of cases before the Board of Revenue.
Strict Vigilance Against Encroachment
The Revenue Department has instructed field officials, including Revenue Inspectors, Amins and other experienced survey personnel, to identify, verify and safeguard temple land through regular field inspections.
Officials have been asked to maintain strict vigilance against illegal encroachments, unauthorized occupation, fraudulent claims and attempts to create private interests over temple land.
Monthly Review and Progress Reports
The department has directed that matters related to Lord Jagannath’s land be reviewed on a priority basis during monthly revenue meetings at the district, sub-division and tehsil levels.
District administrations will also be required to submit monthly progress reports to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department on the status of revenue cases and protection measures.
The Odisha Government said the initiative aims to ensure the legal protection, preservation and proper management of Lord Jagannath’s land assets, safeguard temple properties from encroachment, and reduce unnecessary litigation through coordinated administrative action.