The Odisha state cabinet, during its meeting on Wednesday, gave its approval for the repeal of 358 Acts that were enacted by the state legislature between 1974 and 2025. The decision came after the law department identified these pieces of legislation as redundant and obsolete, no longer serving any practical purpose in the current legal framework.
Purpose of the Repeal
Chief Secretary Anu Garg explained that most of these Acts were amendments to existing principal laws. Once enforced, these amendments had already been incorporated into the respective main statutes, rendering the separate amending Acts unnecessary. “There is no necessity to retain such Acts on the statute book,” she stated, emphasizing that keeping them would only create confusion.
Some of the Acts were enacted as one-time measures for specific, temporary purposes. After their implementation, they lost relevance and have remained unused. The repeal aims to remove such clutter from the legal system.
Recommendations by the Odisha State Law Commission
The Odisha State Law Commission, in two reports dated April 6 and April 30, recommended the repeal of these Acts on the grounds that they had become redundant or outdated. The cabinet accepted these recommendations and decided to move forward with the legislative process.
Garg added that the exercise would help declutter the statute book and eliminate any confusion among the public and legal professionals regarding which laws are currently in force.
Next Steps: Odisha Repealing Bill, 2026
The cabinet has initiated steps to enact the Odisha Repealing Bill, 2026, which will formally repeal the 358 identified Acts. The bill is expected to be introduced in the state legislature in the upcoming session.
This move is part of a broader effort by the state government to streamline its legal framework and ensure that only relevant and current laws remain on the books. By removing obsolete legislation, the government aims to improve transparency and ease of compliance for citizens and businesses alike.
