The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has announced its plan to appoint a land expert to manage complex land-related cases. This development follows the recent introduction of a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) for registering part plots across the state.
The initiative is part of ORERA’s broader mandate to simplify land registrations in family settlements, urban expansions, and agricultural land transfers. The appointed expert will be responsible for scrutinising land documents, evaluating building and layout plans, and providing authoritative guidance on resolving intricate disputes, thereby ensuring faster, more efficient outcomes for all stakeholders.
According to an official notification, ORERA is inviting applications from retired Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officers. Priority will be given to those who have served as tehsildars, sub-collectors, or land acquisition officers for a minimum of eight years. Applicants must be below 62 years of age.
“This is a crucial step forward,” said real estate expert Bimalendu Pradhan. “ORERA deals with a high volume of land-related cases, particularly those involving registration conflicts. Bringing in a seasoned land expert will significantly improve the authority’s ability to navigate these complexities and resolve disputes promptly.”
New SOP for Part Plot Registrations
The land expert appointment coincides with the rollout of the long-awaited SOP for part plot registrations, recently unveiled by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Kumar Pujari. The framework seeks to remove ambiguity, standardise registration procedures, and ensure uniform compliance across the state’s registration offices.
Part plot registrations, common in family settlements, agricultural transfers, and urban development projects, have historically been plagued by inconsistent interpretations of the Registration Act, 1908, and the Odisha Registration (Amendment) Act, 2013. The SOP aims to establish clear, actionable guidelines to prevent delays and disputes.
Key provisions include:
- Rural Areas: Part plot registration is allowed without preconditions, except for jalasaya kissam (water body) plots, which must be transferred in entirety. Sub-divisions of such plots are capped at 500 square metres.
- Agricultural Land: Sub-division is permissible if the land retains its agricultural classification, backed by a self-declaration in Form D.
- Urban/Planned Areas: Registrations will follow the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act and Town Planning (TP) Act, with exemptions for family-based sub-divisions and similar cases.
Officials emphasise that the SOP is expected to reduce disputes arising from inconsistent legal interpretations and to facilitate smoother, faster land transactions across both rural and urban areas.
The move has been welcomed across the real estate and civic administration sectors. Land-related disputes frequently slow down development projects and complicate property transfers. The appointment of an experienced consultant is expected to streamline processes, improve governance, and enhance public convenience.
“Combining a land expert’s expertise with a standardised SOP can significantly strengthen ORERA’s ability to resolve disputes efficiently while ensuring transparency, fairness, and consistency in land dealings,” real estate expert Pradhan added.
The Odisha government expects that these measures will not only streamline property registrations but also support urban planning, reduce legal bottlenecks, and create a more investor-friendly environment for real estate and infrastructure development.
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