Odisha Unveils SOP to Simplify Part Plot Registrations, Boost Transparency
In a landmark move to streamline land transactions and eliminate bureaucratic inconsistencies, the Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Department has introduced a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for part plot registrations across the state.
Announced by Revenue & DM Minister Suresh Pujari, the SOP replaces all previous guidelines and draws authority from the Registration Act, 1908 and the Odisha Registration (Amendment) Act, 2013.
It aims to standardise procedures, reduce disputes, and enhance public trust in the land registration ecosystem.
Key Highlights:
- Rural Areas: Part plot registration is now allowed without preconditions, except for Jalasaya Kissam plots, which must be transferred as full plots. Subdivisions are capped at 500 sq. meters to protect water bodies.
- Agricultural Land: Subdivision is permitted if the plot retains its agricultural classification. Applicants must submit a Form D self-declaration confirming exclusive agricultural use.
- Urban & Planned Zones: Governed by the Odisha Development Authorities Act and Town Planning Act, with exemptions for family inheritance, small plots under 500 sq. meters (non-commercial), and co-sharer divisions with mutual consent.
- Legacy Plots: Plots smaller than 500 sq. meters recorded before the 2025 amendments can now be subdivided legally, resolving longstanding backlogs.
- Registering Officers: Mandated to verify maps, boundaries, and declarations rigorously, ensuring compliance and maintaining records.
Effective immediately, the SOP is expected to accelerate registration timelines and foster a more equitable land governance framework across Odisha.
