Odisha To Grant Freehold Status To Residential Projects Developed By DAs, OSHB

Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has decided to grant freehold status to land and house allottees in residential projects completed by the Development Authorities (DAs) and the Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB). The move is expected to benefit more than lakh allottees.

The DAs and OSHB have allotted land and houses on a leasehold basis to over one lakh households in the residential projects. It is mandatory for the allottees of these land and houses to obtain NOCs from the competent authorities every time they transact such properties.

A total of 99 projects were developed over 2797.492 acres in the entire state. The absence of any law for the conversion of such properties to freehold status has led the allottees to face serious hardships for the advantageous enjoyment of such properties. They have been demanding that such properties be granted freehold status

While there are provisions under the law which allow the conversion of leasehold land allotted by the GA&PG Department to freehold status on payment of prescribed conversion fees, there is no such provision for conversion of land leased out by DAs and OSHB. In order to overcome the inconsistencies in the law and fulfil the aspirations of the allottees, the government has taken a series of measures that include:

Land and houses allotted in the residential projects completed by the DAs and OSHB shall be granted freehold status.

Conversion fees amounting to Rs 1,107.81 crore shall be waived in favour of DAs and OSHB.

DAs and OSHB shall collect the prescribed conversion fees from the allottees and allow the conversion of leasehold properties to freehold status.

Necessary amendments in the extant laws shall be effected by R&DM Department to ensure the implementation of the above decisions.

Freehold land shall be provided to DAs and OSHB for the development of all future residential projects.

All the households intending to acquire the properties in the residential projects to be developed by DAs and OSHB in future will have the privilege of possessing and transacting such properties in a hassle-free manner without having to obtain permission from anyone.