In a major push for transparency and legal compliance, the Odisha government has banned routine document registrations outside official office premises, allowing such services only in genuine urgent cases with prior high-level approval.
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department has issued clear, strict instructions to all registration authorities across the state. Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee has directed the Inspector General of Registration to enforce full adherence to the Indian Registration Act, 1908, and the Odisha Registration Rules, 1988.
It has come to the government’s notice that officials were frequently visiting homes or private locations for registrations and document executions in large numbers of cases. The department has described this practice as contrary to the basic intent and framework of the law.
“Registration outside the office premises is not the norm and must never be treated as routine,” the directive states. Home visits will be permitted **only** in exceptional circumstances — such as when a person is physically unwell, under legal arrest, or otherwise unable to visit the office due to compelling reasons. Even then, prior permission from competent authorities is mandatory.
The approval hierarchy is clearly defined:
- Within the district (for cases outside normal jurisdiction): Approval from the ADM and District Registrar.
- Inter-district but within Odisha: Approval from the Inspector General of Registration.
- Outside the state: Approval from the state government.
All such requests must undergo thorough verification of reasons and supporting documents. The government has warned that any violation will invite strict action. District-level officers, including all ADMs and District Registrars, have been tasked with close monitoring to ensure compliance.
The move is being seen as a decisive step to eliminate irregularities, reduce scope for misuse, and restore the sanctity of the official registration process. The department has reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and rule of law in all property and document-related dealings.
