The Housing and Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha (HUDD) on January 5, 2026, issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Odisha Municipal Rules, 1953 under the powers conferred by the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950. The draft rules have been published for public information, inviting objections or suggestions within thirty days from the date of publication in the Odisha Gazette.
The draft proposes substitution of Rules 92 and 93 to revise procedures relating to contingent expenditure and payment approvals in municipal administration. Under the proposed Rule 92, the Executive Officer may incur contingent expenditure up to ₹10,000 without quotations based on certification of quality and price, and up to ₹3 lakh on the recommendation of a Local Purchase Committee consisting of specified officials, subject to budget availability and reporting to the municipal council.
Further, the draft amendments to Rule 93 revise financial approval limits for payment orders and salary bills. The Executive Officer may approve payment orders up to ₹10 lakh and salary bills up to ₹25 lakh, while higher amounts will require joint approval of the Executive Officer and Chairperson. Additionally, Rule 332 is proposed to be amended to allow the Executive Officer to grant administrative sanction for works up to ₹10 lakh, with higher-value estimates requiring the Chairperson’s approval.
[Notification No. S.R.O. No. 5/2026]
