Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday underscored the crucial role of tehsildars and revenue officers in building a transparent, accountable, and people-centric land administration system.
Addressing the inaugural session of the state-level revenue officers’ conference and workshop at Lok Seva Bhawan, the Chief Minister called on officers to act as facilitators of justice and bridge the gap between the government and the people.
“The tehsildar’s office should not be a place of fear, but a symbol of trust,” Majhi said. He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring no one in Odisha remains landless.
“Even those owning less than four decimals of land will be treated as landless, and eligible for land allotment under government schemes,” he announced.
Highlighting the state’s swift response to Cyclone Dana shortly after the new government assumed office, Majhi commended the evacuation of over 8.1 lakh people to 6,210 cyclone shelters. “We are committed to the Zero Casualty mission. This success reflects our proactive approach and strong coordination across departments,” he noted.
Stressing the importance of grassroots governance, the Chief Minister instructed officers to ensure that services reach even the most marginalized. “You must be proactive in delivering timely and just services to villagers. The deprived and neglected are our top priority,” he said.
He also issued a stern warning against illegal land transactions, especially those involving Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. “Such deals cannot happen without the knowledge of tehsildars. Any willful oversight will not be tolerated. The government follows a strict zero-tolerance policy on this matter,” he asserted.
As monsoon rains approach, Majhi advised revenue officers to remain alert and follow the Meteorological Department’s advisories diligently. “From June to November, you must be prepared for rain and cyclones, keeping local conditions in mind,” he added.
The Chief Minister also called for prompt resolution of land disputes, including mutation cases, and emphasized transparency in all proceedings. “A large chunk of valuable government land is under illegal encroachment. Officers must act decisively to reclaim and protect such land,” he said.
He further urged officers to assist in land acquisition for upcoming industrial projects with public trust and transparency. Touching upon the state’s increased ₹800 support for paddy procurement, Majhi stressed the importance of accurate land verification by a joint team from Revenue, Cooperation, Agriculture, and Irrigation departments to ensure genuine farmers benefit.
“This government will not tolerate corruption. Officers who are sincere and perform well will be rewarded. Let your dedication, not just your reputation, speak for you,” the Chief Minister concluded.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari echoed the Chief Minister’s sentiments, stating that outdated work practices must change. “Since our government assumed office, we have introduced several key reforms to bring revenue services closer to the people. Treat every citizen who enters your office with respect and ensure timely service delivery,” Pujari said.
The welcome address was delivered by Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, while Central Range Revenue Commissioner B. Parameswaran proposed the vote of thanks. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Development Commissioner Anu Garg also graced the dais.
The opening session of the two-day workshop witnessed participation from district collectors, additional district magistrates, and tehsildars representing all districts across Odisha.
