Paperman India । Bhubaneswar
Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Smt. Usha Padhee, reviewed pending applications under the Online Building Plan Approval System (OBPAS) across Development Authorities, Municipal Corporations and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), directing officials to ensure time-bound clearance of all cases.
At a review meeting held at Kharavel Bhawan, she examined application pendency, procedural bottlenecks and delays in planning clearances. She emphasised transparency, efficiency and citizen-friendly service delivery, warning that deliberate or unjustified delays would invite strict action and accountability.
Smt. Padhee directed authorities to conduct data-driven assessments, identify authority-wise and ULB-wise pendency and take immediate steps for early disposal. She also stressed strengthening digital file tracking and introducing an escalation mechanism for applications pending beyond seven days, wherever necessary, with responsibility fixed at every level.
The ACS called for further strengthening the SUJOG platform through enhanced monitoring, transparent processing and effective tracking mechanisms. She advised officials to avoid repetitive queries and provide applicants with clear information on approval requirements, procedures and timelines.
To simplify the process, she emphasised making guidance documents widely accessible through digital platforms, explanatory videos and other communication channels. She also encouraged leveraging technical expertise from government engineering colleges and polytechnics to improve planning support.
Reiterating the importance of technology-driven governance, she urged the SUJOG team and concerned authorities to resolve systemic issues and ensure a hassle-free, transparent and dependable approval process.
Director, Town Planning, Shri Satrughna Kar; Additional Secretary, Shri Suvendu Kumar Sahu; Assistant Town Planners and members of the SUJOG team attended the meeting.
