The Odisha government has proposed to come up with a single revenue act by merging various revenue laws enacted at different point in times.
“We will enact single revenue code by consolidating and simplifying various revenue laws as some of the provisions of the existing laws governing land revenue administration are unable to meet the pressing needs of changing times,” said Maheswar Mohanty, State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister.
Futuristic outlook
A committee comprising Member of Board of Revenue as chairman and 12 other members was tasked to frame revenue code with futuristic outlook which will contain provisions for automation and Internet use.
The draft ‘Odisha Land and Revenue Code’ has been prepared by taking into consideration the Odisha Survey and Settlement Act, 1958, the Odisha Special Survey and the Settlement Act 2012, the Odisha Government Land Settlement Act, 1962, the Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act, 1972, the Odisha Land Reforms Act, 1960, the Odisha Consolidation of Holdings and Prevention of Fragmentation of Land Act 1972 and the Odisha Estates Abolition Act, 1951.
“There were 299 sections in the present set of seven Acts, whereas the draft code has a total of 107 sections,” said Mr. Mohanty.
“There has been no provision for settlement of land in case of encroachment for more than 30 years in the code,” the department said.
According to minister, the code will be published inviting suggestions and objections from all sections and after scrutiny of feedbacks, necessary changes will be effected and steps will be taken for enactment of the code.
