Odisha directs revenue officials to fast-track protection of Shree Jagannath’s land properties

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has issued comprehensive directions to revenue authorities across the state to strengthen the protection, maintenance of land records and management of properties belonging to Lord Shree Jagannath, with a focus on expediting pending revenue cases and preventing encroachments.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue & Disaster Management Department Dr. Arvind Padhee has written to the Board of Revenue, all Revenue Divisional Commissioners (RDCs), Collectors and the Director of Land Records & Survey (DLRS), directing them to take immediate action on a priority basis.

In his communication, Padhee said the identity of Odisha is closely linked with Lord Jagannath and safeguarding the deity’s landed properties is the collective responsibility of the state. He stressed the need for prompt action in matters relating to the records, protection and management of temple lands in accordance with legal provisions, government guidelines and court orders communicated by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

As part of the initiative, revenue authorities have been asked to expedite the disposal of 11,675 miscellaneous revenue cases filed by the SJTA before various tahasils in Khordha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Ganjam, Cuttack and Kendrapara districts. Officials have also been directed to implement orders passed by the Member, Board of Revenue in 257 cases filed under Section 7(A) of the Odisha Estates Abolition Act.

The department has instructed officers to examine historical land records, including the 1927-28 Record of Rights (RoR), for correction of Khewat records wherever required. While adjudicating cases involving Jagannath Temple properties, officials have been asked to refer to pre-settlement and settlement records from 1888-89, 1925-26, 1927-28, 1929-30 and 1977-78 to ensure accurate documentation of endowment lands.

Revenue authorities have also been directed to provide authenticated copies of historical Records of Rights and settlement correlation reports to the SJTA to facilitate the disposal of cases before the Board of Revenue.

To strengthen field-level protection, the department has ordered the deployment of Revenue Inspectors, Amins and other experienced personnel for identification, verification and monitoring of temple lands. Regular field inspections will be carried out to prevent illegal encroachments, unauthorised occupation, fraudulent claims and attempts to create private interests over the deity’s properties.

The government has instructed district administrations to treat all matters relating to Jagannath Temple lands as a priority. Progress will be reviewed during monthly revenue meetings at the district, sub-divisional and tahasil levels, while monthly progress reports will be submitted to the Revenue & Disaster Management Department.

Officials said the initiative aims to ensure the long-term protection, preservation and lawful management of Lord Shree Jagannath’s properties while minimising avoidable litigation.