Bhubaneswar, May 7 (BNP): In a major administrative reform aimed at speeding up public services and promoting transparent governance, the Odisha government has announced that house construction plan approval files will no longer remain pending for months. Applications submitted through the SUJOG app must now be disposed of within seven days, Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said on Thursday.
The announcement was made following a high-level departmental review meeting convened to streamline the building plan approval process and address delays faced by applicants across urban local bodies in the state.
As per the new directive, officials failing to process files within the stipulated seven-day period will face a penalty of ₹250 per day for every delayed case. The government has also decided that files pending beyond the deadline will automatically be transferred to another official for further action to ensure accountability and timely disposal.
Addressing the media, Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said, “The stipulated time is seven days. After this duration, the file will be forwarded to another official. We conducted a survey to identify the reasons behind delays. Officers who fail to adhere to the timeline will be charged a fine of ₹250 for every additional day.”
The minister stated that the initiative is part of the state government’s broader effort to simplify citizen services, strengthen digital governance, and eliminate bureaucratic delays in urban development-related approvals.
Highlighting the government’s long-term housing vision, Mahapatra informed that Odisha has set a target to provide housing facilities to nearly 80 per cent of the population by 2036. Directions have already been issued to district collectors for identification and allotment of land required under various housing schemes.
He further said that construction work would begin immediately after land allotment, and completed houses would be handed over to beneficiaries under different government-supported housing initiatives.
Under the affordable housing programme, the state government plans to develop houses under multiple categories, including Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG) models, to ensure affordable urban living for all sections of society.
The minister also highlighted the government’s focus on planned urban expansion and infrastructure growth. Land development in urban areas will be carried out through Town Planning (TP) schemes based on local requirements and future growth projections.
Additionally, under the Chief Minister Smart City Scheme, 49 towns across Odisha will be included in the first phase for comprehensive urban development and modernization projects.
The new measures are expected to significantly improve efficiency in urban administration, reduce delays for home builders, and strengthen public confidence in the state’s digital governance system.