Identify families owning less than 4 decimals of land, issue patta under Vasundhara scheme: Minister

Bhubaneswar: The State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has directed district administrations across Odisha to conduct a door-to-door survey to identify individuals and families owning less than 4 decimals of land.

This move is aimed at extending the benefits of the Vasundhara Scheme to landless people by providing them with land pattas (ownership records).

Minister Pujari stated that the Odisha government is committed to ensuring land rights for the landless.

“Those who do not own any land or possess very small holdings — less than 4 decimals — will be listed and granted land under the Vasundhara scheme,” he said.

Odisha currently follows two revenue laws under which land distribution is carried out. According to the Minister, discrepancies have been found in land records — some beneficiaries have received up to 5 decimals through inheritance, while others have received less than one decimal. In many cases, the land is not officially registered under the rightful heir’s name.

To address such issues, the Odisha government has amended the Odisha Land Settlement Rules after receiving the Chief Minister’s approval on May 17. A notification regarding the amendment has also been published.

All District Collectors have been instructed to complete the survey and submit detailed reports based on the revised rules. This initiative is expected to bring transparency and justice to thousands of families across the state who have remained landless or under-documented in official records.

The government hopes this effort will strengthen land ownership rights and provide a secure foundation for the socio-economic development of marginalized communities in Odisha.