Paperman Media (Bhubaneswar)- A high-level meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister, Revenue & Disaster Management, Shri Suresh Pujari. During the meeting, the Hon’ble Minister directed officials to expedite the settlement process of all Bebandobast lands and to accelerate correction of Column-2 entries in all land records.
During the previous year, out of approximately Thirty-Eight thousand acres of pending Bebandobast land, around Seven thousand acres have been settled and recorded in favour of rightful tenants. In this context, the Hon’ble Minister directed that pending cases, particularly in districts such as Cuttack, Puri, Bhadrak, Bolangir & Jagatsinghpur be expedited and RoRs be issued to eligible beneficiaries.
Further, in cases where individuals have not deposited the requisite 'Salami' for Bebandobast land, instructions be issued to serve show-cause notices to deposit the same within one month and dispose of such cases promptly.
It is pertinent to note that lands for which no settlement has been finalized and where no assessed land rent or recognized ownership is reflected in the Record of Rights (RoR) are classified as Bebandobast lands. Until ownership is duly established through proper procedures, such lands are treated as Government land. Administratively, settlement of such lands is undertaken by the Tahasildar under the supervision of the Sub-Collector and Collector.
With the objective of ensuring accurate land records, preventing encroachment and enhancing land revenue generation, the State Government has issued several circulars from time to time. It was decided in the meeting that all such circulars and guidelines will soon be consolidated into a comprehensive SOP booklet.
Special emphasis was also laid on correction of Column-2 entries in land records. Under a special drive, surveys have been completed for about 62.68 lakh land records, out of which approximately 58.80 lakh records have already been corrected and RoRs issued in favour of rightful successors. In this regard, Revenue Inspectors (RIs) have been assigned a monthly target of surveying 250–300 cases and to act accordingly.
Further officials of the Agriculture Department have been instructed to expedite farmer registration & ensure proper enrollment in updated land records and complete Aadhaar linkage. Voluntary Aadhaar Linkage at the time of mutation/registration shall be facilitated after obtaining requisite approval. This will facilitate easier access to various government benefits for farmers.
Additional Chief Secretary, Dr. Arabinda Padhee emphasized strengthening revenue administration and informed that districts will be ranked every month based on specified performance parameters. Districts with poor performance will be reviewed and strict action will be taken against officials failing to meet timelines or comply with directions.
He also stressed ensuring transparent and corruption-free revenue administration across the State. The Revenue Secretary directed strict action against individuals illegally encroaching upon Government land classified as Bebandobast.
The Hon’ble Minister further directed that in the event of thunderstorm or any natural disaster, immediate assessment of damages should be conducted and reported to the Department and relief assistance should be provided on priority.
Additionally, all OAS and ORS officers under the Revenue Department have been instructed to join their new place of posting within seven days of transfer orders, failing which strict action, including stoppage of salary, will be taken.
All RDCs have been directed to conduct regular reviews at their level, while the Department will also periodically review the performance of districts.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Padhee, Private Secretary to the Hon’ble Minister Shri Pradeep Kumar Sahu, Additional Secretary Shri Amiya Kumar Sahu, Joint Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar Sahu, OSD Rashmi Ranjan Rout and other officials. RDCs of all divisions, ADMs, and other district-level officers participated through virtual mode.
