Bhubaneswar: In an effort to simplify legal procedures and bolster the role of notaries and advocates in Odisha’s justice delivery system, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday.
Official sources said that the Minister issued instruction for the immediate initiation of the new notary appointment process during the meeting.
The discussions laid emphasis on creating a comprehensive online ecosystem, including a dedicated web portal and mobile app, to digitise notary and advocate services.
The meeting highlighted the contributions of notaries and lawyers in making legal processes more accessible and efficient.
The Minister underlined the need for technological integration to reduce paperwork and enhance service delivery.
Highlights from the meeting include the development of a dedicated web portal for registering all notaries and advocates in the state. This platform will serve as a centralised database, maintaining complete online records of professionals to ensure transparency and easy verification.
Aspiring notaries will be able to submit applications for new appointments directly through the portal, streamlining what has traditionally been a cumbersome offline process.
The Minister also stated that notaries should submit regular reports of their activities via the portal to promote accountability and monitor compliance with professional standards.
He suggested steps for the development of a mobile app to make the system user-friendly and allow professionals and the public to access services.