Guidelines for updating Land Records

Smt. M.Chaya Ratan, I.A.S.
Commissioner of Tribal Welfare  

D.O.Rc.No. 4762/93/RLW/TRI, Dated: 26-01-1994.

Dear Sri Busi Sam Bob,

Sub:- Tribal Welfare Department - Updating of land records the scheduled areas of Andhra Pradesh on the model of Utnoor experiment - Regarding.

Ref:- Govt. Memo. No. 55773/P&C.II/92, Revenue (P&C) Department, dated 22-12-1992.

As you are aware, the state of land records in the scheduled areas of the State is very unsatisfactory. The ground position does not tally with the records and there are several pattadars without land while several persons have been cultivating lands without proper title. This situation led to several unabated land disputes in the tribal villages among the tribals and also between tribals and non-tribals. The present state of land records has also enabled the illegal occupation of ineligible encroachers on a large scale. This situation caused dissensions in the tribal villages where the small farmers often feel helpless. In the state of helplessness, the tribals came under the influence of left wing extremists who profess to take up the local issues and exploit the situation against the Government. It is, therefore, necessary to update land records in the scheduled areas to protect the large extent of Government lands from illegal and ineligible land grabbers as also to wean away the tribals from the influence of extremists and to ensure effective implementation of land reforms, land assignment programme and such other progressive measure of the Government.

In this connection, a comprehensive scheme for updating land records has been undertaken at Utnoor Revenue Division in Adilabad district during 1988-90. The Utnoor experiment yielded good results and as a result, most of the land problems were sorted out and also confusion over the land records could be dispelled in these villages. I would, therefore, request you to take up similar time-bound programme of updating land records in the scheduled areas of your districts on the model at Utnoor experiment. I enclose a copy of the guidelines for the purpose of updating land records in scheduled areas.

Yours sincerely,
(M.CHAYA RATAN)

To
Sri Busi Sam Bob, I.A.S.,
District Collector,
WEST GODAVARI DISTRICT.

GUIDELINES FOR UPDATING OF LAND RECORDS

The updating of land records requires comprehensive approach in Scheduled areas. The Programme may consist of the following stages.

•  Building up of fundamental data base on land in Scheduled areas which may consist of
•  Procurement of village maps.
•  Building up of the following basic records for each village.
•  Khasra pahani / Adangal
•  Tenancy register
•  Wasool Bagi
•  Sethwar
•  Register of Government lands
•  Register of declarations filed under Andhra Pradesh land reforms Act, 1973.
•  Data relating to forest lands etc.
•  Enjoyment Survey of all the village lands including Government lands by deputing a team of two surveyors for every village may be conducted. The surveyor team will also demarcate forest and village boundaries.
•  Preparation of Master Register with the details about original pattadar and present pattadar, actual enjoyer of the land, nature of the same and title if any over the land.
•  Field / local verification of the entries in the Master Register by Mandal Revenue Officer in the office of Sub-collector / Revenue Divisional Officer by a team of Revenue staff, Verification entails obtaining and putting up of connected records and documents and indication of action taken on each survey number.
•  Issue of notices to the parties under relevant laws wherever applicable which may include the following in respect of Telangana region.
•  Record of Rights Act, 1971.
•  Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Areas land Transfer Regulation, 1959.
•  Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Area) Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act, 1950.
•  Andhra Pradesh Assigned Land (Prohibition on Transfer) Act, 1977 and rules issued there under.
•  Andhra Pradesh Land Encroachment Act, 1905.
•  Andhra Pradesh Agency Rules.
•  Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Area) Land Revenue Act, 1317F.
•  Inam Abolition Act.
•  Indian Stamp Act.
•  Andhra Pradesh Mahals (Abolition and conversion into Ryotwari) Regulation, 1969.

IN RESPECT OF ANDHRA REGION

•  Andhra Pradesh Land Revenue Act.
•  Andhra Pradesh Revenue Rules.
•  Record of Rights Act, 1971.
•  Andhra Pradesh Assigned Land (Prohibition of Transfer) Act, 1977 and Rules issued there under.
•  Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Areas Land Transfer Regulation, 1959.
•  Andhra Pradesh Land Encroachment Act, 1905.
•  Andhra Pradesh Agency Rules.
•  Andhra Pradesh Muttas (Abolition and conversion into Ryotwari) Regulation, 1969.
•  Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Areas Ryotwari Settlement Regulation, 1970.
•  Conduct of village courts in tribal villages to sort out land problems in accordance with the relevant laws in the presence of villagers by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The cases of land disputes in Scheduled areas will be summarily disposed in the village courts.
•  After sorting out the land disputes in the village courts the decisions taken in the village courts are to be implemented in Revenue Records. As a result,
•  Record of rights will be implemented and an updated records of right will be created especially in respect of land held by the tribals.
•  All eligible tenants will be conferred ownership rights under Tenancy Act and their names will be recorded in the Pahani / Adangal.
•  All surplus ceiling lands will be assigned to landless poor with delivery of physical possession and name of assigness will be recorded in revenue records.
•  All lands that were restored to the tribals under Land Transfer Regulation will be recorded in the Pahani and the names of the tribals to whom the lands were restored under L.T.R. will be recorded in the Pahani.
•  Illegal encroachers of Government Land will be evicted.
•  The forest boundaries and the village boundaries will be clearly demarcated. All the village lands will be surveyed and sub divided. All Revenue Records will be made upto made so that the ground position will be reflected in the village maps and other village lands records.
•  Eligible occupants possession in over Government lands will be regularised.