Odisha Government Land – Review of Unutilised & Misused Leased/Alienated Land
REVIEW OF UNUTILISED GOVERNMENT LAND IN ODISHA
Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Government of Odisha – Letter No. 39675/ACSRDM, Dated 22.09.2026
Letter No.
39675/ACSRDM
Issuing Authority
Revenue & DM Department, Govt. of Odisha
Addressed To
All Collectors
Date
22nd September 2026
Purpose
Land Review
Unutilised Government land
Unutilised Period
More than 3 Years
From date of settlement
Legal Basis
OGLS Act, 1962
Section 3-B & OGLS Rules, 1983
Reporting
Monthly
By 5th of every succeeding month
Background & Purpose
- Context: In view of the paucity of suitable Government land for implementation of various developmental and social welfare projects, it is imperative to ensure the optimal, judicious and productive utilisation of all available Government land.
- Issue: It has come to the notice of Government that, in a number of cases, Government land in respect of which advance possession or permissive possession has been sanctioned, as well as Government land leased out/alienated in favour of various organisations, institutions, individuals or Departments, is either remaining wholly or partly unutilised or is being utilised for a purpose other than that for which it was settled.
- Impact: Such instances defeat the very purpose for which the Government land was allotted and adversely affect its optimal and judicious utilisation.
- Direction: All Collectors shall undertake a comprehensive and time-bound review of Government land in their respective districts covered under advance possession, permissive possession, lease and alienation.
Categories of Review
(a) Advance Possession
As per Rule 11-A of OGLS Rules, 1983, advance possession can be sanctioned only where power to settle vests with an authority above the rank of Collector, and only Government is competent to sanction it. Tahasildar shall hand over advance possession and submit Lease Case Record to Collector within 60 days. Collectors shall ensure expeditious field verification of all pending cases of regularisation. Where land is unutilised or used for other purposes, action for reversion to Government shall be initiated.
MPR Format: Annexure-I
(b) Permissive Possession
As per Rule 9-A of OGLS Rules, 1983, permissive possession may be granted for plantations and other specified purposes, including construction of bridges over rivers, canals, nalas, and roads. Collectors shall ensure expeditious field verification. Where land is lying vacant or conditions are not complied with, action shall be taken under sub-rule (2) of Rule 9-A for cancellation of permissive possession.
MPR Format: Annexure-II
(c) Resumption
As per Section 3-B(a) of OGLS Act, 1962, land is liable to be resumed where used for a purpose other than that for which it was settled. Under Section 3-B(b), land is liable to be resumed where the person has not used the land for a period exceeding three years from date of settlement. Detailed case-specific review shall be undertaken, and proceedings for resumption shall be initiated and finalised expeditiously.
MPR Format: Annexure-III
(d) Relinquishment
As per Instructions for Reservation of Government Land (1966), land recorded in the Khatian of a Department other than Revenue can be used only for the purpose for which it was alienated. When no longer required, it is to be relinquished in favour of the Revenue Department and transferred to Rakhit Khatian. A detailed review shall be undertaken to identify unutilised alienated land and submit proposals for relinquishment.
MPR Format: Annexure-IV
Important Points to Note
- Comprehensive Review: All Collectors shall undertake a comprehensive and time-bound review of Government land under advance possession, permissive possession, lease and alienation.
- Advance Possession: Pending regularisation cases to be verified expeditiously; unutilised land to be reverted to Government.
- Permissive Possession: Where land is vacant or conditions not complied with, cancellation proceedings to be initiated under Rule 9-A(2).
- Resumption: Cases where land is unutilised for more than 3 years or used for other purposes to be resumed under Section 3-B of OGLS Act, 1962.
- Relinquishment: Alienated land no longer required to be relinquished in favour of Revenue Department.
- Partial Utilisation: Necessity of retaining unutilised portion shall be specifically examined and recorded.
- Encroachment: Cases of encroachment over leased-out/alienated Government land to be identified and eviction action taken promptly.
- Monthly Reporting: MPR in prescribed formats (Annexure I-IV) to be furnished online by the 5th of every succeeding month.
- District Record: A district-wise comprehensive record of all cases to be maintained at the District level.
- Priority Matter: The exercise shall be treated as a priority matter with effective supervision at the district level.
- Accountability: Responsibility to be fixed for any undue delay, omission, or failure to take action in eligible cases.
- Action Against Collusion: Any collusion of Government officials with vested interests shall invite stringent disciplinary and criminal action.
Legal References
- Rule 11-A, OGLS Rules, 1983: Advance possession of Government land - only Government competent to sanction; Tahasildar to submit Lease Case Record within 60 days.
- Rule 9-A, OGLS Rules, 1983: Permissive possession for plantations, bridges, etc.; cancellation under sub-rule (2) where conditions not complied with.
- Section 3-B(a), OGLS Act, 1962: Land liable to be resumed where used for a purpose other than that for which it was settled.
- Section 3-B(b), OGLS Act, 1962: Land liable to be resumed where not used for more than three years from date of settlement.
- Paragraph 10(6), Revenue Department Letter No. 4898-R dated 28.01.1966: Relinquishment of alienated land no longer required for the purpose for which it was alienated.
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📥 Download PDF Share on WhatsApp Share via Gmail Share on TelegramFrequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this letter?
The letter directs all Collectors to undertake a comprehensive review of Government land that is remaining unutilised for more than three years or is being utilised for a purpose other than that for which it was settled, and to take appropriate action under the law.
Which categories of Government land are covered under this review?
The review covers four categories: (a) Advance Possession, (b) Permissive Possession, (c) Resumption, and (d) Relinquishment.
What action will be taken for advance possession cases?
Collectors shall ensure expeditious field verification of pending regularisation cases. Wherever land is unutilised or used for other purposes, action for reversion of the land to Government shall be initiated.
What action will be taken for permissive possession cases?
Where land is found lying vacant or conditions governing permissive possession are not complied with, appropriate action shall be taken under sub-rule (2) of Rule 9-A of OGLS Rules, 1983 for cancellation of permissive possession.
Under what circumstances can Government land be resumed?
As per Section 3-B of OGLS Act, 1962, land can be resumed where: (a) it has been used for a purpose other than that for which it was settled; or (b) it has not been used for a period exceeding three years from the date of settlement.
What is meant by relinquishment in this context?
Where Government land alienated in favour of a Department is no longer required for the purpose for which it was alienated, it is to be relinquished in favour of the Revenue Department and transferred to Rakhit Khatian under orders of the competent revenue authority.
What about partially utilised land?
In cases of partial utilisation, the necessity of retaining the unutilised portion of the land for the purpose for which it was leased out/alienated shall be specifically examined and recorded. Such unutilised portions shall not be allowed to remain idle without adequate justification.
What action will be taken against encroachments?
Cases of encroachment over leased-out/alienated Government land shall be identified and appropriate action for eviction of such encroachments shall be taken promptly and strictly in accordance with extant rules and procedures.
What is the reporting requirement?
A Monthly Progress Report (MPR) in the prescribed format (Annexure I-IV) shall be furnished online to the Department by the 5th of every succeeding month.
What is the district-level record requirement?
A district-wise comprehensive record of all such cases shall be maintained at the District level, indicating cases reviewed, identified for action, proceedings initiated, proceedings finalised, and land resumed/relinquished/restored to Government Khata.
What are the consequences of collusion with vested interests?
Any collusion of Government officials with vested interests or corrupt elements shall invite stringent disciplinary and criminal action under applicable provisions of law.
Who issued this letter?
The letter has been issued by the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Government of Odisha, through the Additional Chief Secretary to Government.
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