Odisha approves new land management rules for Shree Jagannath Temple

The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved the Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules, 2026. These new regulations supersede the previous land policies established in 2003 and 2019.

The framework is designed to modernize the administration of temple lands through a fully online, portal-based system for receiving, verifying, and disposing of settlement applications. To improve transparency and curb encroachment, the rules mandate comprehensive GIS-based digital mapping and the creation of a publicly accessible digital dashboard. This dashboard will be integrated with the Revenue & Disaster Management Department's existing portals for real-time updates.

Under the new system, a District-Level Screening Committee (DLSC) led by the District Collector will oversee case scrutiny, while field verification will be conducted by the Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu Bhumi Sanchalan Committee. The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) will be responsible for issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Valuation for land will be determined by the higher of the Benchmark Market Value (BMV) or the Average Land Sale Statistics (ALSS). Specific provisions have been made for different land categories, including commercial land and long-standing religious institutions (mutts) that have maintained continuous possession for over 30 years.