Bhubaneswar, Sep 2026 : The Odisha Cabinet has approved the Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules, 2026, aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in the management and settlement of lands belonging to the Shree Jagannath Temple across the state.
The new rules were approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday evening. According to an official statement, the rules have been framed under Section 32 read with sub-section (2) of Section 16 of the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955.
The 2026 rules will supersede the Uniform Policy, 2003 and the Amended Uniform Policy, 2019. One of the key features is the introduction of a fully online, portal-based mechanism for receiving, verifying and disposing of applications seeking settlement of Shree Jagannath Temple (SJT) land.
The rules provide for the constitution of a District Level Land Sub-Committee (DLSC), headed by the district Collector, along with a Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu Bhumi Sanchalan Committee (SJMBSC) at the district level. These bodies will undertake field verification and scrutiny of individual applications before they are processed further.
Institutional oversight has also been strengthened under the new framework. The Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) will be required to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for all land settlements.
The rules prescribe a valuation mechanism based on whichever is higher between the Benchmark Value (BMV) and Average Land Sale Statistics (ALSS). The valuation provisions will apply to different categories of beneficiaries, including Sevakas, Mathas, Non-Sevakas and others.
For commercial land measuring up to 0.250 decimal, the valuation will be fixed at four times the higher of the BMV or ALSS. The rules also provide special concessions for the Bijesthali of Mathas where seva puja has been performed by those in continuous possession for more than 30 years.
Another major provision involves comprehensive digitisation of SJT land records. The government has mandated GIS-based digital mapping and inventory of all temple lands. The information will be made available through a publicly accessible digital dashboard and integrated with the Revenue & Disaster Management Department's Bhulekh/Bhunaksha portal.
The integration is expected to facilitate real-time updating of land records and improve monitoring of temple properties across Odisha.
The rules also include strict provisions against fraudulent settlements. Any settlement secured through fraud, misrepresentation or fabricated documents can be cancelled by the SJTMC. The authorities may also initiate civil and criminal proceedings against individuals found responsible for such irregularities.
To provide a mechanism for grievance redressal, the government has constituted a high-level Appeal Committee headed by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Law Department. The committee will hear appeals filed by parties aggrieved by decisions taken under the new land-management framework.
The Odisha government said the new rules are intended to establish a more transparent and accountable system for managing the extensive land assets associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Land Management Rules, 2026, will come into force from the date of their publication in the Odisha Gazette and will remain operational for two years.
