Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has framed the Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules, 2026 to bring greater transparency, accountability and efficiency to the management and settlement of land belonging to the Shree Jagannath Temple across the state.
The new rules were framed at a meeting of the Odisha Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday. Framed under Section 32 read with sub-section (2) of Section 16 of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, the rules will replace the Uniform Policy, 2003 and the Amended Uniform Policy, 2019.
Under the new framework, applications for the settlement of temple land will be received, verified and disposed of through a fully online, portal-based system. A District Level Land Sub-Committee (DLSC), headed by the respective Collector, and the Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu Bhumi Sanchalan Committee (SJMBSC) at the district level will undertake field verification and scrutiny of applications.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) will issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for all settlements, providing institutional oversight of the process.
The rules also prescribe clear valuation norms for different categories of beneficiaries, including Sevakas, Mathas, Non-Sevakas and others. The value of the land will be determined on the basis of the Bench Mark Value (BMV) or Average Land Sale Statistics (ALSS), whichever is higher.
For commercial land measuring up to 0.250 decimal, the valuation will be fixed at four times the applicable BMV or ALSS, whichever is higher. Special concessions have also been provided for Bijesthali of Mathas having Seva Puja and continuous possession for more than 30 years.
A major feature of the new rules is the proposed comprehensive GIS-based digital mapping and inventory of all Shree Jagannath Temple lands. The information will be made available through a publicly accessible digital dashboard on the portal.
According to the government, the digital system will help prevent encroachment, identify unauthorised occupation, monitor litigation and strengthen the protection of temple properties. The portal will also be integrated with the existing Bhulekh/Bhunaksha system of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department for real-time updating of land records.
The rules contain stringent provisions against fraudulent settlements. Any settlement obtained through fraud, misrepresentation or fabricated documents can be cancelled by the SJTMC. Civil and criminal proceedings may also be initiated against those found responsible.
An Appeal Committee headed by the Principal Secretary to the Law Department has also been constituted to hear appeals filed by aggrieved parties against decisions taken under the rules.
The new rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the Odisha Gazette and will remain in force for two years.
The government said the initiative is aimed at strengthening digital governance, protecting the valuable land assets of the Shree Jagannath Temple and ensuring justice for long-standing legitimate settlers of temple land.
