Bhubaneswar, May 13: In a bid to restore basic functioning of the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA), the state government on Monday appointed the Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, Usha Padhee, as the interim chairperson of the authority.
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The move comes just two days after ORERA became virtually defunct with the retirement of its last serving member, leaving the regulatory body without any leadership. Siddhanta Das, the full-time chairperson, had demitted office in February. The acting chairperson, Gopal Chandra Patnaik, retired on Saturday.
To prevent a complete halt in ORERA’s operations, the government issued an order invoking powers under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. “In exercise of the powers conferred by the third provision to sub-section (1) of Section 20 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, the state government hereby designates the Principal Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, as the regulatory authority for the said Act until further orders,” the official notification stated.
Sources within the department indicated that the process to appoint a regular chairperson and new members is nearing completion. The selection committee finalised the names last Thursday, and the file is currently awaiting approval at the Chief Minister’s Office.
ORERA has played a pivotal role in bringing transparency and regulation to the state’s real estate sector. From ensuring registration of housing projects and real estate agents to adjudicating disputes, the authority has been instrumental in protecting the interests of homebuyers.
In the last year alone, ORERA has passed several significant orders in favour of homebuyers, ensuring timely possession, compensation in delayed projects, and compliance from builders. Stakeholders in the real estate sector and citizen groups have welcomed the interim appointment, noting it as a step towards continuity and stability.
The real estate sector, which has witnessed rapid expansion in Odisha in recent years, relies on the regulatory authority to maintain credibility and enforce legal standards. The state government’s swift move to fill the leadership vacuum, even temporarily, is seen as a crucial decision in maintaining public confidence in the system.
