Odisha's Real Estate Regulatory Authority Grapples with Significant Case Backlog
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) has registered a substantial 4,334 cases against 714 builders since its establishment in 2017. However, a concerning 1,028 of these cases remain unresolved and pending for final resolution, according to recent disclosures made in the state assembly.
Minister's Assembly Reply Highlights Systemic Challenges
Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra provided these revealing statistics while responding to questions raised by MLA Mangu Khilla regarding ORERA's operational effectiveness. The minister acknowledged that while the government has enhanced staffing levels and administrative oversight, numerous external factors continue to impede timely justice delivery to aggrieved homebuyers across the state.
Minister Mahapatra emphasized that the resolution process frequently encounters procedural and legal bottlenecks that extend beyond simple administrative capacity issues. The primary obstacles identified include a persistent lack of mutual cooperation between parties, submission of incorrect information, and deliberate delay tactics employed by legal representatives.
Detailed Breakdown of Delay Mechanisms
"A significant number of cases were delayed because both the complainants and the builders failed to reach common ground or participate effectively in the mediation process," Mahapatra explained during the assembly session. "The delays often originate at the initial filing stage, where homebuyers frequently provide incorrect or outdated addresses for the opposing builders, making proper legal notice service exceptionally challenging."
The minister further elaborated that frequent petitions filed by advocates representing both sides, requesting additional time extensions, have substantially prolonged litigation timelines. In numerous instances, once ORERA issues a ruling, builders or dissatisfied parties immediately challenge these decisions in higher courts, effectively staying implementation of the original regulatory orders.
Government Initiatives to Streamline Operations
To address these persistent delays, the state government has appointed experienced officers on special duty specifically tasked with streamlining ORERA's office operations and case management processes. "RERA is now focusing on proactive communication, utilizing both print and electronic media platforms to educate the public on navigating the legal system more effectively," Minister Mahapatra stated.
The government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming ORERA into a more robust and effective regulatory body. This includes organizing specialized workshops designed to bridge the coordination gap between the general public and real estate developers, fostering better understanding and cooperation between all stakeholders involved in property transactions.
Homebuyer Perspectives on Regulatory Effectiveness
Sarthak Jena, an aggrieved homebuyer, expressed frustration with the current system: "There is no point in RERA's existence if it is unable to deliver final, enforceable orders. The fundamental objective behind establishing RERA was to safeguard homebuyer interests, and the authority must remain singularly focused on this crucial mission."
The ongoing challenges highlight the complex balance between regulatory oversight and practical implementation in Odisha's real estate sector, with thousands of homebuyers awaiting resolution of their cases through the state's established consumer protection mechanisms.
