BNB Land Consultancy was entrusted by the Government of Odisha to undertake a comprehensive diagnostic and modernization initiative for its land acquisition and rehabilitation policies. This involved a multi-faceted approach, beginning with an in-depth, clause-by-clause analysis of the existing Odisha R&R Policy, 2006, and the Odisha RFCTLARR Rules, 2016, to identify gaps and areas for enhancement against the central RFCTLARR Act, 2013.

This was complemented by an extensive comparative study of legislative frameworks and best practices in high-growth states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The assignment synthesized these findings with an analysis of on-ground implementation challenges prevalent in Odisha. The final and crucial phase of our work focused on translating this research into actionable legal instruments, including drafting precise amendments to the state’s policy and rules and developing detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent and transparent execution.

Our engagement encompasses the complete policy lifecycle, from foundational research to the delivery of implementable legal instruments. We are undertaking a meticulous clause-by-clause analysis of Odisha’s existing R&R Policy and RFCTLARR Rules to assess their operational effectiveness and alignment with the central Act. This is complemented by a detailed comparative study of best practices in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, known for their rapid industrial and infrastructure development. We are synthesizing insights from this cross-state analysis with a ground-level assessment of prevalent practices and challenges in Land Acquisition and R&R within Odisha.

The culmination of this diagnostic work is the translation of our findings into concrete, actionable outputs. We are drafting precise amendments to the state’s policy and rules to address identified gaps and procedural bottlenecks. Furthermore, we are developing comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide government agencies in the consistent and transparent execution of the updated frameworks, ensuring that policy intent is effectively translated into practice.

The primary objective of this initiative is to fortify Odisha’s legal and procedural frameworks for land acquisition and R&R, positioning the state as a leader in balanced and sustainable development. A key goal is to integrate documented best practices from other progressive states to enhance fairness, efficiency, and community welfare. The project aims to directly address existing procedural bottlenecks and ambiguities in the current policy and rules, thereby reducing litigation and delays.

Ultimately, the mission is to deliver a finalized set of draft amendments and practical SOPs that will empower the Government of Odisha to accelerate critical infrastructure and industrial projects while ensuring robust social safeguards and equitable outcomes for project-affected families.