Odisha Govt initiates action against sub-registrars involved in illegal part plot sales
In a significant move to crack down on fraudulent land transactions, the Revenue Department has initiated departmental proceedings against over 300 sub-registrars allegedly involved in irregular part-plot sales, official sources said on Tuesday.
These officials are accused of facilitating the sale and purchase of more than 100 illegal part-plots, violating land transaction norms.
Show-cause notices have already been issued, and charge sheets have been filed against the officials as part of a sweeping investigation.
The Department clarified, there will be no confusion in part-plot deals, thanks to improved coordination between key urban development agencies, including the Urban Development Department, Development Authorities, and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
Previously, a lack of inter-departmental coordination had led to widespread discrepancies and legal challenges in real estate transactions. However, the State government is now working on final-phase reforms to streamline urban land dealings.
The Urban Development Department is nearing completion of its regulatory framework, and according to the minister, apartment sale-related issues will also be resolved very soon.
“Interdepartmental coordination was not prevalent (during the previous BJD-led government). After this (BJP) government assumed office, coordination between the Urban Development and Revenue departments, Development Authorities, and Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) was started. Those bodies, who had involvement in resolving the issues pertaining to the sale and purchase of part plots, have now been brought together,” the Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari said while speaking to mediapersons.
“Subsequently, the land registration act was amended by the Urban Development Department, and the Revenue Department issued a clarification in this regard. Now, we have directed the officials that the right of a person over a property should be treated as a basic right. Right to sell and purchase a land is an indispensable right,” the Revenue Minister stated.
“There is no rule over and above the constitution. Whatever rules are there (with regard to the sale and purchase of lands) should be made palatable within the constitutional framework. Part plot registration is no longer an issue,” the Revenue Minister added.
News