The Odisha Cabinet has approved the Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules, 2026, aimed at ensuring greater transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management and settlement of Shree Jagannath Temple (SJT) land across the state.
The rules were approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday evening.
According to an official statement, the new rules have been framed under Section 32 read with sub-section (2) of Section 16 of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955. They will supersede the Uniform Policy, 2003 and the Amended Uniform Policy, 2019.
The government said the rules introduce a fully online, portal-based system for receiving, verifying and disposing of applications for settlement of SJT land.
They also provide for the constitution of a District Level Land Sub-Committee (DLSC), headed by the Collector, and a Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu Bhumi Sanchalan Committee (SJMBSC) at the district level to conduct field verification and scrutinise applications.
Under the new framework, the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) will issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for all settlements, providing institutional oversight.
The rules prescribe land valuation based on whichever is higher between the Benchmark Value (BMV) and Average Land Sale Statistics (ALSS) for Sevakas, Mathas, Non-Sevakas and other beneficiaries.
Commercial land measuring up to 0.250 decimal will be valued at four times the higher of the BMV or ALSS. Special concessions have also been provided for Bijesthali of Mathas where seva puja has involved continuous possession for more than 30 years.
The new rules further mandate comprehensive GIS-based digital mapping and inventory of all SJT land. The information will be made available through a public digital dashboard integrated with the Revenue and Disaster Management Department’s Bhulekh/Bhunaksha portal for real-time updates.
Any settlement obtained through fraud, misrepresentation or fabricated documents will be liable to cancellation by the SJTMC. Civil and criminal proceedings may also be initiated against those found responsible.
A high-level Appeal Committee, headed by the Principal Secretary of the Law Department, has been constituted to hear appeals filed by aggrieved parties.
The rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the Odisha Gazette and will remain in force for two years.
(IANS Inputs)
