Bhubaneswar, January 19: The Odisha government is actively working on drafting a new land legislation aimed at streamlining land administration processes and addressing a number of long-pending land-related issues in the state.

According to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, the bill, known as the Odisha Government Land Management Bill, is expected to be introduced during the upcoming budget session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to the media on Monday, Pujari revealed that the proposed law seeks to replace outdated legislation that was enacted over four to five decades ago. These existing laws have long been considered insufficient in dealing with the complexities and challenges of modern land administration, prompting the government to move forward with an overhaul.

“The draft of the new legislation has already been prepared, and discussions were held with experts on Monday to review its provisions,” Pujari informed reporters. The discussions focused on ensuring that the proposed legislation is comprehensive and addresses the various concerns surrounding land management, including land ownership, acquisition, disputes, and its effective utilization.

The Odisha Government Land Management Bill is expected to simplify the existing land-related processes, reduce bureaucratic delays, and provide clearer frameworks for land dealings, making them more transparent and efficient. The state government aims to not only improve administrative efficiency but also protect the rights of landowners and ensure equitable land distribution across various sectors.

Once tabled, this bill is anticipated to be a significant step toward resolving the long-standing issues in Odisha’s land administration system