Odisha Orders Statewide Review of Unused Govt Land, Action Against Misuse

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has ordered a comprehensive review of government land allotted or transferred for development and public welfare projects, with Collectors directed to identify plots lying unused for prolonged periods or being used for purposes other than those sanctioned.

The Revenue & Disaster Management Department has asked all Collectors to undertake a time-bound district-wise review of government land provided through advance possession, permissive possession, lease or alienation and take action wherever required under the law.

Additional Chief Secretary of the department, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, issued the directions in a letter to all Collectors, stressing that government land is a valuable public resource that must be protected and put to productive use.

The review will cover land allotted to government departments, corporations, institutions, organisations and individuals. Cases where the land has remained unutilised or where the sanctioned conditions are not being followed will be examined for appropriate action.

For land given under advance possession, pending cases will undergo field verification and action will be taken under Rule 11-A of the Odisha Government Land Settlement Rules, 1983. Where land is found unused or diverted from the sanctioned purpose, steps may be taken for its revesting with the government in accordance with law.

Land held under permissive possession will also be verified. Where such land is lying vacant or the conditions of permissive possession are not being complied with, action will be taken under Rule 9-A(2) of the OGLS Rules.

The department has also ordered a case-wise review of leased government land. Where land has remained unused for more than three years from the date of settlement or is being used for a purpose other than the one sanctioned, the concerned cases will be identified and the process of resumption initiated.

Where applicable, resumption under Section 3-B of the Odisha Government Land Settlement Act, 1962, will be carried out by following due legal procedure and the principles of natural justice. After completion of the process, the land will be restored to government possession and revenue records corrected wherever necessary.

Land transferred to government departments for specific projects will also be verified at the field level. If land, or any portion of it, has remained unused 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 of partial utilisation, the need to retain the unused portion will also have to be specifically examined and recorded.

The department has further directed district administrations to take prompt action against encroachments on government land that has been leased out or alienated, following the applicable rules and prescribed procedures.

Padhee also stressed that revenue officials must discharge their statutory duties impartially, particularly in cases involving influential individuals or organisations. He directed officials to act without fear, favour, pressure or influence.

The department said disciplinary and criminal action would be initiated if involvement or collusion of government officers or employees with vested interests or corrupt or unethical entities is established.

Collectors have been asked to maintain comprehensive district-wise records covering cases reviewed, action initiated, processes completed and land restored to the government account. They must also submit monthly online progress reports to the department by the fifth of every month under four categories—advance possession, permissive possession, resumption and relinquishment.

The review has been designated a priority assignment, with Collectors made personally responsible for ensuring timely action and preventing unnecessary delay or negligence.