ORERA rules under review as Odisha seeks to streamline land sale and purchase

Bhubaneswar, Oct 14: The Odisha government is planning to amend certain rules of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) to ease the buying and selling of land in the state. During a recent visit to Sambalpur, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari addressed reporters, noting that numerous complaints have been received about the complexities involved in the land registration process. Discussions are ongoing with the Urban Development Department to address these issues.

Pujari highlighted that the existing legal framework of RERA complicates land transactions, particularly in urgent situations such as medical emergencies, children's education, or weddings, making it difficult for individuals to sell their property. As a result, changes to RERA are deemed essential, and the Revenue Department is collaborating with the Urban Development Department to explore possible solutions.

He also mentioned that the e-registration process is currently outsourced, which has led to increased dependency on third parties and numerous complaints regarding service quality. Pujari criticized the outsourcing company for paying low wages, leading to dishonest practices that hinder the land registration process. Additionally, he warned land brokers of severe repercussions, including bans from entering government offices.