In a landmark initiative aimed at ensuring speedy justice and enhancing citizen-centric governance, the Housing & Urban Development Department today organised a Special Camp Court at UNNATI Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.
The Camp Court was convened under the leadership of Usha Padhee, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, with the objective of expediting the disposal of appeal cases filed under the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act, 1982.
As the designated Appellate Authority for matters pertaining to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Smt. Padhee personally presided over the proceedings and reviewed a large number of pending appeals during the day-long session.
A total of 142 appeal cases were heard and disposed of, marking a significant step towards reducing pendency and ensuring the timely delivery of justice. The cases primarily related to appeals filed by citizens against orders issued by BDA and BMC under the provisions of the ODA Act.
The initiative reflects the Department’s commitment to making governance more responsive, transparent and accessible. By providing an effective platform for citizens to seek redressal of grievances and challenge administrative decisions, the Camp Court reinforces the principles of fairness, accountability and due process.
As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the appellate framework, the Government has recently designated senior officers, including Special Secretaries and Additional Secretaries, as Appellate Authorities for similar cases. This decentralised mechanism is expected to further accelerate case disposal and improve service delivery across urban areas.
The Special Camp Court received an encouraging response from citizens and stakeholders alike. The Housing & Urban Development Department has resolved to continue such initiatives in a phased and time-bound manner to clear pending cases and further enhance public confidence in urban governance institutions.
