Odisha Mandates Cashless Land Transactions Statewide

The Odisha state government has mandated that all land transactions within the state must be conducted entirely through cashless modes. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari confirmed that cash will no longer be an accepted medium for any land purchase or sale, marking a significant departure from the previous allowance of cash transactions up to ₹15,000. This administrative pivot aims to increase transparency and reduce corruption within the land registration process.

The move is part of a broader push to modernize state revenue systems, which includes the establishment of a new Revenue Bhavan. By eliminating physical cash handling, the government intends to create a clear, traceable electronic audit trail for all property-related financial exchanges. This policy aligns with national digital economy goals and aims to minimize the scope for manual intervention or discrepancies in land record management, which have historically been complex issues in the state's revenue administration.

The order takes effect immediately across all land offices in Odisha. Stakeholders involved in property sales, including buyers and sellers, are now required to utilize digital payment channels to facilitate all transactional payments. This decision is expected to streamline documentation and expedite the verification process for property titles. The state government plans to support this transition with improved digital infrastructure at the district level to ensure that citizens have seamless access to the required payment systems without service delays.