In a significant step to restore the functioning of the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA), the state government on Wednesday appointed a new chairperson and two members. This move comes in response to the recent leadership vacuum, which had rendered the authority non-functional and stalled its key operations including project registration and grievance redressal for homebuyers.
New Appointments Announced
The newly appointed chairperson is Asit Kumar Mohapatra, an IIT Madras alumnus and former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer. He previously served as the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax in Visakhapatnam. Joining him on the ORERA panel are:
-
Rajendra Mishra
-
Shyam Sundar Dash
These appointments are expected to re-energize ORERA and restore confidence among homebuyers, developers, and other stakeholders in Odisha’s real estate sector.
Why the Appointments Were Critical
ORERA is mandated to:
-
Register real estate projects and agents
-
Resolve disputes between buyers and developers
-
Ensure implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016
The authority is legally required to operate with three senior members. However, since February 28, ORERA had been gradually slipping into dysfunction:
-
Former chairperson Siddhanta Das resigned just before completing his 5-year term.
-
Pradeep Biswal, member (administration), retired on May 2.
-
Gopal Chandra Patnaik, member (judicial) and acting chairperson, retired shortly after.
With all three senior officials gone, ORERA had effectively become non-operational, leaving hundreds of homebuyers in limbo.
Activists and Stakeholders Welcome the Move
Bimalendu Pradhan, a well-known real estate activist, welcomed the appointments, expressing hope that the new leadership would:
-
Enforce agreements for sale and monitor quarterly progress reports
-
Order forensic audits of errant projects and ensure execution of orders
-
Build a corruption-free and efficient grievance redressal system
-
Coordinate effectively with plan-approving and property registration authorities
-
Strengthen the enforcement wing of ORERA for faster resolution
He emphasized that the credibility of ORERA lies in strict compliance, quick dispute resolution, and transparent regulatory processes.
What This Means for Homebuyers
The appointments are a relief for thousands of homebuyers, whose complaints were piling up due to ORERA’s temporary standstill. With experienced officials now at the helm, ORERA is expected to:
-
Resume project registration and verification
-
Hear pending and new complaints
-
Monitor developer compliance and project timelines
Conclusion
The swift action by the Odisha government to fill the top positions in ORERA is a positive development for the real estate ecosystem in the state. With seasoned professionals now steering the authority, stakeholders can expect stronger regulation, faster grievance redressal, and improved transparency in real estate dealings. The focus now shifts to implementation and performance, as ORERA enters its new phase.
