Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Revenue & Disaster Management Department has directed all Collectors to undertake a comprehensive and time-bound review of government land provided for developmental and public welfare projects but left unutilised or used for purposes other than those sanctioned.
The directions have been issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, through a letter to all Collectors.
The review will cover government land provided through advance possession, permissive possession, lease and alienation to Government departments, corporations, institutions, organisations and individuals.
The department has said that government land is a valuable public resource and stressed the need to ensure its protection, proper utilisation and prevention of misuse, unauthorised occupation and unauthorised retention.
Under advance possession, collectors have been directed to take necessary action under Rule 11-A of the Odisha Government Land Settlement Rules, 1983. Pending cases are to undergo prompt field verification. Where land is found to be unutilised or used for a purpose other than the one sanctioned, necessary action is to be taken for revesting the land with the government in accordance with law.
Land held under permissive possession will also be reviewed to verify its present utilisation status. Where such land is lying vacant or the conditions governing permissive possession are not being complied with, action is to be taken under Rule 9-A(2) of the Odisha Government Land Settlement Rules, 1983.
The department has also ordered a case-wise review of government land leased to institutions, organisations and individuals. Where leased land has remained unutilised for more than three years from the date of settlement, or is being used for a purpose other than the sanctioned purpose, such cases are to be identified and the process of resumption initiated and completed expeditiously in accordance with law.
Where provisions relating to resumption apply under Section 3-B of the Odisha Government Land Settlement Act, 1962, action is to be taken by following due legal procedure and the principles of natural justice. After completion of the resumption process, the land is to be restored to Government possession and necessary corrections made in revenue records wherever required.
Government land transferred to various departments for projects and specific purposes will also undergo field-level verification. If any land, or part of it, has remained unutilised for more than three years and is no longer required for the purpose for which it was transferred, a proposal is to be submitted to the concerned department for relinquishment of the land and its restoration to the Revenue & Disaster Management Department.
In cases where land has been only partially utilised, the need to retain the unutilised portion will also have to be specifically examined and recorded.
The department has further directed district administrations to take prompt and stringent action, in accordance with applicable rules and prescribed procedures, against encroachments detected on government land that has been leased out or alienated.
Dr. Padhee has stressed that revenue field officials must discharge their statutory responsibilities fearlessly, impartially and strictly in accordance with law, particularly in cases involving vested interests, influential organisations or individuals. They have been directed not to succumb to fear, favour, pressure or influence.
The department has also warned that if the involvement or collusion of government officers or employees with vested interests, corrupt individuals or other unethical entities is established, stringent disciplinary as well as criminal action will be initiated under the applicable provisions of law.
District administrations have been directed to sensitise all concerned officers and employees about the directions and take necessary precautions for the protection and proper management of government land.
A comprehensive district-wise record of the review process is to be maintained, covering cases reviewed, cases identified for action, processes initiated, processes completed and land restored to the Government account.
For regular monitoring, Collectors have been directed to submit monthly progress reports online to the department by the 5th of every month in four separate formats covering Advance Possession, Permissive Possession, Resumption and Relinquishment.
The review and action process has been designated as a priority assignment. Collectors have been made personally responsible for ensuring that there is no unnecessary delay or negligence and that appropriate action is taken in all eligible cases. They have also been directed to ensure proper assignment of responsibilities at the district level.
The Revenue & Disaster Management Department said it remains committed to safeguarding government land and ensuring its proper, lawful and productive utilisation as a valuable public resource.
