Odisha Govt appoints Asit Mohapatra as ORERA chairperson

Asit Kumar Mohapatra was appointed as the new Chairperson of Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) on Wednesday. His appointment accompanies the induction of two new members in ORERA, Rajendra Mishra and Shyam Sundar Dash, who will join the authority in overseeing the regulation of the State's real estate sector.

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The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department issued a notification in this regard.

Move to enhance ORERA's accountability

This leadership change is seen as a significant move to enhance the accountability and transparency within Odisha's property market. With these new appointments, ORERA is expected to strengthen its regulatory framework, thereby addressing the concerns of both developers and homebuyers alike in this rapidly growing market.

“In exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-section 1 of Section 20 of the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 and Rule 18 (7) of the Odisha Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Rules, 2017, the Government is pleased to appoint Asit Kumar Mohapatra as the Chairperson in Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA) with effect from the date he assumes the office,” the H&UD department notification mentioned.

“The State Government appoints Rajendra Mishra and Shyam Sundar Dash as Members in ORERA with effect from the date they assume the office,” another official communiqué stated.

Worth mentioning, the Odisha government had previously named senior IAS officer and the H&UD department Principal Secretary, Usha Padhee, as the interim head of the ORERA. This appointment came shortly after the regulatory authority became non-functional following the retirement of its last serving member.

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ORERA had been left without leadership since February this year when its former chairperson, Siddhanta Das, had stepped down. Gopal Chandra Patnaik, who was serving as acting chairperson, retired last Saturday; and Pradeep Biswal, the administrative member, had also retired on May 2.