Odisha Govt Directs Urban Bodies To Use Online Platform SUJOG, Warns Action For Violation

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has directed all authorities engaged in urban services to receive payments through its ‘SUJOG’ online platform and warned of actions for violation of the order.

G Mathivathanan, principal secretary, Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department on Saturday reviewed the performance of SUJOG, developed under the 5T initiative of the government.

He directed the urban development authorities, local bodies, WATCO and PHEO to strictly ensure that all payments for services are made through SUJOG.

He also told them to stop offline dealings including receiving applications and payments. “The heads of all the institutions must withdraw the receipt books from the field officials and cancel all the unused books to prevent any misuse,” he said.

Besides, the urban authorities have been told to submit monthly report on implementation of the order on use of SUJOG. Violation in this regard would be treated as a criminal offence, the secretary warned.

It may be noted that the government has developed SUJOG to ensure hassle-free delivery of services and ease of living for the citizens. The platform offers various options for online payments including payment through M-POS machines and integration with other digital payment platforms.

The platform provides seven urban services at present. Those include building plan approval, trade licence, property tax collection and assessment, water and sewerage tax collection and assessment, marriage registration certificate, finance & accounting and public grievance redressal system.