Odisha Plans Digital Overhaul of Bhoodan Land Records to Prevent Illegal Transfers

The Odisha government has decided to digitise and computerise Bhoodan land records across the state to prevent unauthorised transfers and fraudulent mutations. Until the digitisation process is completed, restrictions will be placed on the transfer and mutation of such land.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the decision on Monday following a review meeting on key departmental programmes and citizen-focused services. He instructed officials to scan and digitise old Bhoodan land documents and integrate the data with the Bhulekh system through the proposed Bhoodan-LRMS portal.

The government will also investigate alleged irregularities and fraud related to Bhoodan land and initiate action to remove illegal occupants. Officials have been directed to ensure that mutation or recording of Bhoodan land is permitted only in favour of genuine landless beneficiaries, in line with the original objective of Acharya Vinoba Bhave’s land-gift movement.
The meeting also reviewed steps to safeguard and recover land belonging to Lord Jagannath in Odisha as well as in other states. So far, land records covering 31,906.52 acres across 17 districts have been recorded in the name of Lord Jagannath. Of this, 20,507.36 acres are located in Khurda district.