Disaster Management / Odisha Revenue Department Unveils Landmark Reforms, Disaster Plans

Key Points
Odisha Revenue Department marks two years with sweeping land reforms, disaster preparedness, digital services, and farmer assurance, unveiling new policies and technology-driven initiatives to strengthen resilience and citizen convenience.
Bhubaneswar, Jun 13: The Odisha Revenue Department has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap of achievements and future plans as it marked two years under Minister Suresh Pujari.
Presenting the departmental report card, the minister highlighted landmark initiatives in land management, disaster preparedness, and citizen services.
A new Odisha Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy is set
to be introduced, alongside the establishment of a State Disaster Resilience
Institute. To bring services closer to citizens, Tehsildar camp courts will be
held at the panchayat level, enabling villagers to resolve land and revenue
issues without visiting offices.
Also read: Odisha Revives Groundwater with ‘Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari’
The department has digitized and streamlined land records, reducing 7,797 land categories to just 22 and 750 ownership types to 4. Over 84 lakh accounts have been surveyed and corrected, while more than 31,000 landless families and 38,000 households have received homestead pattas. Additionally, 26,000 educational institutions have been granted land pattas.
Technology-driven reforms include e-registration mobile apps, GIS-based land records, and AI-powered digitization of old land documents. The state has also opened Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu Land Cell to safeguard temple properties.
Disaster Management
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✨Odisha has strengthened its resilience with 911 multipurpose cyclone/flood shelters and 18 more under construction. Over 4,800 “Apada Mitra” volunteers have been trained, while 434 automated weather stations and 6,624 rain gauges are being installed at block and panchayat levels.
The state’s zero-casualty handling of cyclones “Dana” and “Mantha” has earned recognition at the BRICS summit.
Message to Farmers
Minister Pujari assured farmers not to worry about El Niño’s impact. He said forecasts indicate normal rainfall in Odisha, and even if rainfall decreases, contingency plans (Plan 2 and Plan 3) are ready. Discussions with multiple departments have already begun to ensure irrigation projects and water conservation measures are in place.
Looking ahead, the department plans to build Revenue Bhavan and Disaster Management Bhavan, introduce virtual revenue courts, and implement an integrated command-and-control system for disaster response.
Minister Pujari concluded by urging farmers to remain calm,
reiterating that Odisha is prepared to tackle any challenges posed by climate
variations.
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