H&UD department launches Camp Court to Expedite justice

Bhubaneswar, 1st November 2025: In a landmark move aimed at ensuring citizen-centric governance and delivering swift justice, a special Camp Court was convened today at UNNATI Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. This initiative, spearheaded by Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Odisha, seeks to expedite the resolution of appeal cases under the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act, 1982.
The Camp Court session was organized under the direct guidance of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, with a clear objective to foster a citizen-first approach to governance. Smt. Padhee, in her capacity as the designated appellate authority for cases involving the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), presided over the day-long session. During the hearing, a total of 140 cases were successfully adjudicated, making a notable impact on the backlog of over 400 pending appeals. The cases involved citizens challenging various orders issued by BDA and BMC under the provisions of the ODA Act.
This initiative is part of a larger strategy to strengthen the appellate mechanism and expedite case disposal. Recently, the government has appointed additional senior officers, including Special Secretaries, and Additional Secretaries, as appellate authorities for similar matters. This decentralized approach is expected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce case pendency. The Camp Court initiative has been warmly received by the public, reflecting the Housing and Urban Development Department’s unwavering commitment to principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability. By providing a platform for citizens to challenge administrative decisions that may not align with due process or public interest, the initiative upholds the values of justice and accessibility. The department has committed to continuing the Camp Court sessions in future phases, with the aim of systematically clearing the remaining cases in a time-bound manner.