THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
The Odisha government has launched a comprehensive drive
to reclaim unutilised government land and land being used for unauthorised
purposes, directing all district Collectors to undertake a time-bound review of
government land allotted through advance possession, permissive possession,
lease and alienation.
Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue & Disaster
Management Department, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, has issued directions to all
Collectors to identify government land that has remained unutilised for
prolonged periods or is being used for purposes other than those for which it
was sanctioned, and initiate appropriate action in accordance with law.
The move underscores the State government's emphasis on
systematic, productive and optimal utilisation of government land for
developmental and public welfare purposes. Government land has been allotted
over the years to various departments, corporations, institutions,
organisations and individuals through advance possession, permissive
possession, lease or alienation. However, in some cases, such land has either
remained unused or has been diverted to purposes other than those sanctioned,
undermining the very objective of the allotment.
Describing government land as a valuable public resource,
Dr Padhee said it was the collective responsibility of all concerned to ensure
its protection and prevent its misuse, unauthorised occupation or unauthorised
retention.
The Revenue Secretary has directed district
administrations to undertake field-level verification and take action wherever
violations are detected. He has particularly stressed that revenue officials
must discharge their statutory responsibilities fearlessly, impartially and
strictly in accordance with law, especially in cases involving vested
interests, influential organisations or individuals, without succumbing to
fear, favour, pressure or influence.
The government has also made it clear that officials found
colluding with vested interests, corrupt individuals or unethical entities in
the misuse or unauthorised retention of government land will face stringent
disciplinary as well as criminal action under applicable laws.
Under the review of land given through advance possession,
pending cases will be subjected to prompt field verification and necessary
action will be taken under Rule 11-A of the Odisha Government Land Settlement
Rules, 1983. Where land is found unutilised or being used for purposes other
than the sanctioned purpose, steps will be taken, in accordance with law, for
revesting it with the Government.
Land held under permissive possession will similarly be
examined to ascertain its present utilisation status. Where such land is lying
vacant or the conditions governing permissive possession are not being complied
with, action will be taken under Rule 9-A(2) of the Odisha Government Land
Settlement Rules, 1983.
Leased government land will undergo a case-wise review.
Cases where land has remained unutilised for more than three years from the
date of settlement, or where it is being used for purposes other than those
sanctioned, will be identified and the process of resumption initiated and
completed expeditiously in accordance with law.
Where the provisions relating to resumption under Section
3-B of the Odisha Government Land Settlement Act, 1962, are applicable, the
authorities have been directed to take prompt action by following due legal
procedure and the principles of natural justice. After completion of the
resumption process, the land will be restored to government possession and
necessary corrections made in revenue records wherever required.
Government land transferred to various departments for
specific projects and purposes will also be subjected to field verification. If
any land, or a portion of it, has remained unutilised for more than three years
and is no longer required for the purpose for which it was transferred, the
concerned department will be asked to relinquish it for restoration to the
Revenue & Disaster Management Department.
In cases where only a portion of the transferred land has
been utilised, the necessity of retaining the remaining unutilised portion will
have to be specifically examined and duly recorded.
The State government has simultaneously ordered stringent
action against encroachments on leased or alienated government land. District
administrations have been directed to initiate prompt eviction proceedings
against encroachers in accordance with applicable rules and prescribed
procedures.
To ensure accountability and regular monitoring, every
district will maintain a comprehensive record of cases reviewed, cases
identified for action, processes initiated and completed, and land restored to
the government account.
Collectors have been directed to submit online monthly
progress reports to the Revenue & Disaster Management Department by the
fifth of every month in four separate formats covering advance possession,
permissive possession, resumption and relinquishment.
The entire exercise has been accorded priority status,
with Collectors made personally responsible for ensuring that there is no
unnecessary delay or negligence and that action is taken in all eligible cases.
They have also been directed to ensure proper assignment of responsibilities
among officials at the district level and sensitise all concerned officers and
employees about the government's directions.
The Revenue & Disaster Management Department said it
remains committed to safeguarding government land and ensuring its proper,
lawful and productive utilisation, reinforcing the principle that valuable
public land must be protected and deployed effectively in the larger public
interest.
