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The Odisha government has initiated disciplinary measures against nearly 300 district sub-registrars (DSRs) for unlawfully registering sub-plots without necessary approvals, breaching the provisions of the Registration (Odisha Amendment) Act, 2013. These irregularities, spanning from 2014 to 2024, have resulted in over three lakh illegal registrations. Some officials have already faced arrest and prosecution. The government is now adopting technological surveillance to prevent further violations. This initiative comes in the wake of an administrative review involving tehsildars and sub-collectors, underscoring the state's renewed focus on land governance reform.
In a sweeping administrative move, the Odisha government has begun proceedings against around 300 district sub-registrars (DSRs) for alleged misconduct in land registration practices that took place over the past decade. These officers, who were posted between 2014 and 2024, are accused of registering sub-plots without requisite permissions from competent authorities, a direct violation of the Registration (Odisha Amendment) Act, 2013. Advertisement
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari conveyed that disciplinary action had already commenced against these officials. He revealed that some among them had not only been suspended but also jailed, as criminal proceedings were underway for serious breaches of protocol. According to the minister, the government had detected more than three lakh instances of unauthorised land registrations conducted by these officers.
This crackdown gained momentum after a March incident in Sambalpur, where a sub-registrar and four brokers were arrested for illegally transferring land belonging to a deceased individual by using impersonation. Following this, an inquiry conducted in April led to the identification of 18 more errant officials in Bhubaneswar, against whom strong administrative recommendations were made.
Officials stated that the registered sub-plots had been carved out without proper layout approvals or due verification from the development authorities, rendering the transactions legally untenable. As per the state?s amendment to the Registration Act in 2013, no such registrations should be processed without prior clearance from authorised planning bodies.
In response to these systemic failures, the government has turned to technological intervention. Plans are now underway to introduce advanced surveillance systems and real-time digital monitoring tools across all DSR offices. This is aimed at ensuring compliance, discouraging malpractice, and bringing greater transparency into the land registration framework.
The issue came up for wider discussion during a recent workshop convened for 317 tehsildars and 58 sub-collectors, where Minister Pujari reviewed progress on land administration reforms. The sessions focused on challenges faced at the ground level and included felicitation of officials who had excelled in initiatives such as Mo Jami Mo Dihati and land acquisition for public projects.
The state's Chief Minister, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, had earlier stressed that land governance would be a priority under his administration, particularly with regard to curbing irregularities and simplifying access to legal land rights for all citizens. The current measures align with that broader objective.
This dual approach is not only expected to safeguard the integrity of land records but also to enhance public confidence in the registration process. With renewed political will and technological backing, Odisha appears poised to build a more transparent and corruption-resistant framework for land administration.
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