Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday emphasized the critical role of the state’s revenue department, drawing parallels between ancient texts and modern governance. Speaking to reporters, he highlighted that land administration isn’t just a bureaucratic function—it underpins everything from infrastructure projects to social welfare.

Land: More Than Just Soil

Pujari referenced the Mahabharata, suggesting that fair allocation of just five villages could have prevented a historic war, underscoring how disputes over land have shaped human history. “Land is central to conflicts between families, communities, states, and even countries,” he said. “It is also essential for development projects like railways, highways, irrigation, airports, schools, and hospitals.”

Modernizing Odisha’s Revenue Services

With nearly 45 million residents depending on land services, Pujari outlined a series of reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy and corruption:

• Decentralization: Every tehsil can now handle registrations directly, ending multiple trips to sub-registrar offices.

• Digital Access: Soon, citizens will be able to buy and sell land using mobile applications.

• WhatsApp Services: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently launched 11 revenue services on WhatsApp, enabling residents to access support from home.

• Grievance Redressal: Complaints of discrimination or improper conduct will be addressed promptly, with officials held accountable.

“No brokers, no corruption—this is our vision for land services in Odisha,” Pujari said.

Setting National Standards

Looking back over the last 18 months, Pujari stated that Odisha’s revenue services are on track to become a model for the rest of India. While work is ongoing, the focus is on making services smoother, more transparent, and accessible, improving the daily lives of millions and supporting the state’s overall growth.

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Landowners Can Now Sell Up to 500 Sqm Without Layout Approval

In a landmark move aimed at reviving the real estate sector and easing citizens’ financial burdens, the Odisha Government has relaxed long-standing restrictions on part plot sales. With the passage of The Odisha Development Authorities (Planning & Building Standards) Second Amendment Rules on June 10, 2025, landowners can now sell subdivided plots of up to 500 square metres without seeking prior layout approval.

A Lifeline for Financially Distressed Families

This policy change is expected to bring relief to thousands across the state, especially those who have been unable to monetize their land to meet urgent needs such as medical treatment, education, or marriage expenses. The shift replaces years of stringent rules that had frozen land transactions in many urban areas, particularly Bhubaneswar.

Overcoming Bureaucratic Gridlock Since 2021

Since 2021, landowners had been caught in a bureaucratic stalemate—unable to sell, build on, or use their legally owned land as collateral. The new rules also permit co-owners to sell their share of plots, provided the area does not exceed 500 square metres, further easing the transactional bottleneck.

Agricultural Land Sales Still Require Conversion

While the amendment simplifies non-real estate part sales, agricultural lands still need to be converted for residential use before any sale, subject to specific guidelines. These conversion stipulations remain in place to ensure planned urban development.

Addressing Apartment Registration Backlogs

In a broader move to streamline land and housing administration, the state is also working to resolve pending apartment registrations. The current changes stem from a draft resolution released on March 25, 2025, which invited public feedback before being finalized in June.

Revenue Implications and Policy Goals

Speaking on the development, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said:

“People faced years of hardship, unable to sell plots for critical needs. This change enhances the ease of living while increasing state revenue.”

Indeed, the policy aims not only at easing citizen distress but also at boosting state income. In FY 2024–25, stamp duty and registration fee revenues fell to ₹1499 crore, significantly short of the projected ₹2417 crore—highlighting the financial impact of previous restrictions.

Challenges and Grey Areas Remain

Despite the relief, some complications persist. Existing regulations still require all sold plots to have road access, which may hinder development in some regions. Moreover, the overlap with RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) regulations could lead to legal ambiguities, as noted by legal commentators and citizens on social media platform X.

Optimism in the Real Estate Sector

Real estate developers and landowners are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of the amendment. By removing bureaucratic obstacles, the policy is set to revive land transactions, encourage orderly urban development, and stimulate economic growth across the state.

As land file processing has already begun, the move signals a new chapter in land reform for Odisha—one where citizens can access the value of their property more freely while the state secures a stronger financial footing.

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