Bhubaneswar, Aug 26: The Odisha government has directed all District Collectors to intensify monitoring of registration offices and ensure strict adherence to prescribed rules following an alleged land registration fraud in Nuapada district.

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department has stressed the need for greater transparency and accountability in the registration of land, while encouraging wider use of technology to improve efficiency and prevent irregularities.

In a communication to all District Collectors, Additional Chief Secretary of the department, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, said a serious case of alleged fraud in land registration had recently come to light in Nuapada.

Earlier, the government had suspended Sarbeswar Jal, Tahasildar-cum-Ex-Officio Sub-Registrar of Komna Tahasil, after a preliminary inquiry reportedly found that he had facilitated the fraudulent registration of a large tract of land in alleged collusion with vested interests.

The action was taken following information submitted by the Nuapada District Collector regarding the alleged irregularities.

In view of the seriousness of the matter, the department has now instructed Collectors to ensure that the Additional District Magistrate (ADM)-cum-District Registrar in each district regularly monitors registration activities and maintains close supervision over registration offices.

Collectors have also been directed to conduct surprise inspections and visits to registration offices to assess their functioning and detect irregularities at an early stage.

The department said maximum use of technology would be promoted to enhance transparency and accountability in the land registration process. It reiterated that violations of rules and procedural irregularities would not be tolerated.