Bhubaneswar: In a significant push towards transparency and digitisation, the Odisha government is set to implement a comprehensive cashless and largely paperless system for land and property registration across the state.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the reforms, which aim to eliminate corruption, remove middlemen (dalals), and simplify the process for citizens.
The initiative, discussed in a high-level review meeting chaired by Minister Pujari at Lok Seva Bhawan, will overhaul the existing registration process. Buyers and sellers will handle initial applications and documentation entirely online after finalising a deal privately. They will only need to visit the sub-registrar’s office for the final stage — identity verification, biometric checks, and execution of the sale deed. Registered deeds will be made available digitally, eliminating long waits for physical copies.
A key feature is the complete shift to digital payments. The government has abolished the earlier provision allowing cash transactions up to Rs 15,000 for registration-related charges. All fees, stamp duties, and other payments must now be made through digital modes only, ensuring full financial transparency.
“We will make the land transaction process entirely cashless. There will be absolutely no cash transactions involved, and people will no longer have to wait for their deeds. Everything will be processed online. This step is being taken to eliminate the influence of middlemen and to make the registration offices completely corruption-free. An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) regarding this is currently being drafted and will be issued very soon,” the Minister told the media.
Applicants will upload required documents online, including identity proofs, plot details, Encumbrance Certificates (EC), and other records. The system will also introduce digital verification mechanisms, allowing registration documents to be scrutinised by any registration office in the state for greater impartiality. Only registered deed writers or advocates will be authorised to prepare and submit documents, with their details mandated in the online application. Stamp vendors and others involved must also register with the department.
In a parallel citizen-friendly move, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department has made Aadhaar authentication optional for property registration and various land-related services. Citizens can instead use any one of four alternative identity documents: Voter ID, PAN card, Driving Licence, or Passport.
The notification, issued under the directions of Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arvind Padhee, emphasises that no service will be denied due to the absence of Aadhaar. It covers key processes such as creation of new Property IDs, mutations, land classification changes, boundary demarcation, partitions, and issuance of certificates. Voluntary Aadhaar-based e-KYC remains available for those who prefer faster, paperless verification via OTP or biometrics to enhance transparency and prevent fraud.
These changes align with Supreme Court guidelines on Aadhaar usage and are expected to reduce paperwork, minimise delays, curb fraudulent practices, and improve overall ease of doing business in land transactions.
