Bhubaneswar, Odisha: In a landmark move to ensure citizen-centric governance and deliver swift justice, the Camp Court initiative in Odisha by the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department held a special Camp Court today at UNNATI Bhawan, Bhubaneswar.
Led by Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the department, the initiative aims to accelerate the resolution of appeal cases under the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act, 1982. With direct guidance from Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the Camp Court promotes a citizen-first approach to urban governance.
Acting as the designated appellate authority for cases related to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Smt. Padhee personally heard and resolved 140 appeal cases during the session. This proactive effort significantly reduced the backlog. It addressed more than 400 pending appeals. Many citizens used the platform to contest orders earlier issued by BDA and BMC.
The initiative forms part of a broader government strategy to strengthen the appellate mechanism. It also aims to accelerate case disposal. To achieve this, the government recently appointed senior officers including Special Secretaries and Additional Secretaries as appellate authorities for similar matters. This decentralised model enhances efficiency and shortens case timelines.
Citizens have widely welcomed the Camp Court initiative. They praised the department’s transparency, fairness, and accountability. By offering a direct platform to question administrative decisions and seek redressal, the H&UD Department reinforces justice and accessibility in governance.
Moving forward, the department plans to continue these Camp Courts in multiple phases. This will help to clear the remaining cases swiftly and ensure time-bound delivery of justice.
