Relief for Homebuyers in Odisha: Usha Padhee Appointed Interim ORERA Chief
State Government Moves Quickly to Restore Functionality of Real Estate Regulator
In a big relief to thousands of homebuyers across Odisha, the state government has appointed Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, as the interim head of the Odisha Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ORERA).
The move comes after ORERA was left non-functional following the recent retirement of all its key members, including acting Chairperson Gopal Chandra Patnaik and administrative member Pradeep Biswal. The authority had been leaderless since February after the previous Chairperson, Siddhanta Das, stepped down.
With Padhee taking charge, ORERA is now expected to resume its core functions, including addressing complaints from homebuyers, ensuring project registrations, and monitoring builder activities.
The state government made the appointment under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. The decision will remain in effect until a permanent chairperson is appointed.
Homebuyers and real estate stakeholders have welcomed the move, calling it timely and necessary. “ORERA has helped bring discipline to the housing sector. With this appointment, we hope pending cases and project issues will now move forward,” said a local resident.
Over the years, ORERA has built trust among property buyers by enforcing regulations, ensuring transparency in project registrations, and delivering key verdicts in favour of aggrieved consumers.
Sources from the Housing and Urban Development Department shared that a selection committee has already finalized names for permanent roles in ORERA. The proposal is now awaiting approval from the Chief Minister’s Office.
With Usha Padhee at the helm for now, the state hopes to maintain regulatory oversight and consumer protection in Odisha’s growing real estate market. Her leadership is expected to keep ORERA functional until a full-fledged team takes over.
