REVENUE DEPARTMENT POLICY NOTE 2012-2013

Demand No.41 - Revenue Department Demand No.51 - Relief on Account of Natural Calamities

K.A. SENGOTTAIYAN
MINISTER FOR REVENUE

Government of Tamil Nadu 2012

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INDEX

SUBJECTS INTRODUCTION

PAGE NO. 1-2

REVENUE ADMINISTRATION, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION

3-35

LAND ADMINISTRATION

36-56

LAND REFORMS

57-74

URBAN LAND CEILING AND URBAN LAND TAX

74-80

SURVEY AND SETTLEMENT

80-101

CONCLUSION

101-102

REVENUE DEPARTMENT Introduction

The Revenue Department has the proud legacy of being the oldest Department in the Administrative setup of the State. The functions of erstwhile Board of Revenue are now being looked after by different departments, such as Revenue Administration Department, Land

Administration Department, Land Reforms Department, Transport Department, Commercial Taxes Department, Prohibition and Excise Department. The Revenue Administration Department headed by Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Revenue Administration, is incharge of District Revenue

Administration, General Administration, Implementation of social security measures and Disaster Management including calamities. The Land Administration Department headed by the Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Land Administration is incharge of land acquisition, relief and restoration during natural

alienation, assignment of lands and house site pattas, maintenance of survey and land records and

distribution of land pattas. The Land Reforms Department headed by the Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Land Reforms, is entrusted with agrarian reforms such as agricultural land ceiling, tenancy rights, assignment of surplus lands for agricultural purposes. The Urban Land Ceiling and Urban Land Tax Department headed by the Director of Urban Land Ceiling and Urban Land Tax. The Survey and Land Records Department headed by the Principal Secretary / Commissioner of Survey and Settlement is incharge of Survey,

Computerisation of Land Records, Digitization of Field Measurement, Global Positioning System and updating of Land Records etc., At the district level, Collectors and District Revenue Officers assisted by the Revenue Divisional Officers, Tahsildars, Revenue Inspectors, Village

Administrative Officers and Village Assistants discharge these duties.

REVENUE ADMINISTRATION, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION 1.1 Revenue Administration The Revenue Administration, Disaster

Management and Mitigation Department is incharge of District Revenue Administration, which is the backbone of general administration. This department, besides looking after the issue of various certificates, implementation of social security schemes and public welfare schemes is also incharge of relief and restoration measures during natural calamities. As on date, there are 32 districts, 76 revenue divisions, 220 taluks, 1127 firkas and 16,564 revenue villages in the state. In order to improve administrative efficiency and speedy delivery of service, the Honble Chief Minister had announced in the District Collectors Conference that the Ponneri Revenue Division will be bifurcated and a new Division, comprising Ambattur and Madhavaram taluks with Headquarters at Ambattur

will be created. Accordingly, orders have been issued establishing the Ambattur Revenue Division.

1.2 Public Grievances Redressal Scheme Every Monday all the District Collectors / Revenue Divisional Officers and Tahsildars remain in their respective headquarters, receive petitions from the public and take action for the redressal of their grievances. The petitions mainly relate to requests for old age pension, patta transfer, grant of house sites, issue of ration cards etc. There is a need to classify petitions based on the nature of request and hence instructions were given in G.O.(Ms)No.364, Revenue [RA3(2)] Department, dated 28.11.2011 to computerize the registration of petitions uniformly in all the districts by adopting common software which will record the date of receipt and also date of disposal. The petitions which are repeatedly given will be specifically classified using this software. This software enables online tracking of status of the petition. The District Collectors are

instructed to review the pendency of petitions and also look into the quality of disposal. The details

regarding disposal of petitions are also being entered online.

1.3 Mass Contact Programme The Mass Contact Programme is conducted in a particular village of the district on the second Wednesday of every month. Preference is given to those villages which are located in remote areas far from the taluk headquarters. On that day all the

important officers of the district headed by the Collector assemble in the village and redress the grievances of the villagers, after hearing them in person. Old Age Pension sanction orders, house site pattas and patta transfer orders are delivered to the applicants in person. It has been brought to the notice of the Government that advance information is not given to the villagers for collection of petitions and instead the majority of petitions are collected only on the day the

Mass Contact Programme is held.

To make the

programme more purposeful, instructions have been issued in G.O. (Ms) No.244, Revenue [RA-3(2)] Department, dated 08.08.2011 that District Collector should depute a team of officials consisting of the 1) Special Deputy Collector (Social Security Scheme), 2) Revenue Divisional Officer, 3) District Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Officer and 4) District Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Officer on the third Wednesday of every month to the village to collect and register petitions. The petitions will then be

brought to the Collectorate and distributed among various departments and the final reply is given to the petitioner on the day the Collector goes to the village during the next month.

1.4 Social Security Schemes The Government enhanced the social security pension from Rs.500/- to Rs.1000/- per month with effect from May 2011. The number of pensioners under various social security schemes is given below.

S.No

Name of the Schemes

No. of beneficiaries (as on 29.02.2012) 12,04,245 45,180 3,35,103 1,33,188 4,24,367 1,20,849 16,768 3,61,421 26,41,121

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme Destitute Differently Abled Pension Scheme Destitute Widows Pension Scheme Destitute / Deserted Wives Pension Scheme Pension to Unmarried, poor, incapacitated women of age 50 years and above Destitute Agricultural Labourers Pension Scheme * Total

* Implemented through Chief Minister`s Uzhavar Padhukappu Thittam.

Special Tahsildar (Social Security Schemes) is incharge of implementation of the schemes at Taluk level.

Instructions have been issued that applications for Old Aged Pension will be received by Village Administrative Officers at their offices in the village. A Dhoti to the male beneficiary and a Saree to the female beneficiary is distributed free of cost twice a year during Pongal and Deepavali festivals. The beneficiaries under the above schemes, who do not take meals at the Child Centres (Anganwadi Centres) receive 4 Kgs of fine variety of rice per head per month and the beneficiaries who take meals at the Child Centres (Anganwadi Centres) receive 2 Kgs of fine variety rice per head per month.

1.4.1 Disbursement of Social Security Pensions through Banks using Bio-Metric enabled Smart Card The Government had announced in the Governors Address 2011 their decision to disburse Social Security Pension through the Banks by opening no frill accounts of the beneficiaries utilizing the services of Banking Correspondents at the village using biometric enabled smart cards. Accordingly, the

Government have implemented a pilot project in three taluks namely, Kattumannarkoil Taluk (Cuddalore District), Manapparai Taluk (Tiruchirappalli District) and Thovalai Taluk (Kanniyakumari District) in the State successfully. The Pilot project is implemented through Public Sector Banks as per availability of their bank branches in these Taluks. Each bank has appointed Banking Correspondents (BCs) to service the villages in their allocated area. The banking correspondents disburse pension at easily accessible locations in the habitations. The Banking

Correspondents carry hand-held Point of Service (POS) equipment with printer and biometric

authentication device. On confirmation of biometric authentication of the beneficiary, the pension is disbursed. Now, the Government in G.O.(Ms)No.14, Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department, dated 25.01.2012 have ordered to extend the Pilot Project in other parts of the State in three phases.

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In the first phase, all the villages in the State with more than 2000 population as per 2001 census, will be taken up and the disbursement of the pension through banks will be commenced in all these villages by 30th June, 2012. In the second phase, all the villages with population between 1000 and 2000 as per 2001 census, will be taken up. In the third phase, all the other villages and urban areas will be covered for disbursement of pension through banks using biometric enabled smart cards. Under the first phase, 4176 villages will be covered benefiting about 7 lakh pensioners.

1.5 Distribution of Electric Fan, Mixie and Grinder to Women Beneficiaries Revenue Department is entrusted with the responsibility of distribution of fans, mixies and grinders to women beneficiaries belonging to families holding family cards eligible for drawing rice. Nearly 1.83 crore beneficiaries will get this benefit in a

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phased manner. 25 lakh sets have been ordered for supply for the year 2011-12. This scheme was inaugurated by the Honble Chief Minister on Peraringar Anna Birth Anniversary, September 15th, 2011 at Kakkalur, Tiruvallur District. Under this scheme, It has been decided by Government to distribute Induction stove, in lieu of electric fan, in hilly areas such as The Nilgiris district and Kodaikanal area in Dindigul district and the Induction Stove is being distributed in these areas. For implementing the scheme throughout the state 839 special posts have been sanctioned.

1.6 Issue of Certificates to Students through Schools Different types of certificates are required by the public and especially by the students, are being issued by the Revenue Department. The three essential certificates required by students for availing scholarships and admissions are Community, Nativity and Income certificates.

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With a view to reducing the delay and hardship faced by the students of class X in getting certificates, a time bound performance of issuing certificate to all 10th standard students in the schools has been ordered in G.O. (Ms) No.246, Revenue [RA3(2)] Department, dated 09.08.2011. Out of 9,85,510 students studying in 10th standard 4,45,787 students have already obtained the certificates. Out of the balance 5,39,723 students the applications were received from 5,36,663 students and 5,36,431 students have been issued with certificates in the schools.

1.7 Scheme of distribution of Sarees and Dhotis to poor With a view of providing employment

opportunities to handloom and powerloom weavers in the State, Government have been providing dhotis and sarees to poor on the eve of Pongal. This

department is entrusted with the responsibility of

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distribution of dhotis and sarees supplied by Co-optex to the poor. 170.84 lakh sarees and 169.75 lakh dhotis are being distributed. 1.8 Office Buildings As the Revenue Department plays a pivotal role in the district administration provision of office buildings and related infrastructure required by the revenue machinery always receives priority from the Government. The buildings under the control of

Revenue Department include office and residential buildings of the District Collectors, District Revenue Officers, Revenue Divisional Officers, Tahsildars, Revenue Inspectors and Village Administrative

Officers. Every year, necessary funds are being allotted for construction of new buildings and additional office buildings required for the district administration, quarters and other infrastructural facilities as well as repair of buildings of Revenue Department.

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1.8.1 District Collectorate Buildings Of the 32 districts in the State, 31 districts have collectorates housed in Government buildings. The newly created Tiruppur collectorate and other

Government offices are presently functioning in the Tiruppur Integrated Marketing Committee temporarily. Proposals for the construction of Tiruppur Master Plan Complex and other departments at an estimate cost of Rs.52.13 crore are under the consideration of the Government have also sanctioned a

Government.

new building for the District Collector`s office at Thanjavur at an estimated cost of Rs.25 crore. Also as announced by the Honble Chief Minister during the Collectors Conference, proposal for construction of new collectorate buildings and other department buildings at Cuddalore at an estimated cost of Rs.25 crore, is under the consideration of the Government.

15

1.8.2 Revenue Divisional Office Buildings The State has 76 Revenue Divisional Offices, of which 74 Revenue Divisional Offices are in

Government buildings. For the remaining two newly formed Revenue Divisions at Tambaram and

Udumalpet, the Government announced to construct the above two Revenue Divisional Office buildings at an estimated cost of Rs.2.53 crore. Based on this, orders for construction of Revenue Divisional Office at Tambaram at an estimated cost of Rs.1.10 crore has been issued and the proposal in respect of Udumalpet is under consideration of the Government.

1.8.3 Taluk Office Buildings There are 220 Taluk offices in the State, of which 208 Taluk offices are accommodated in Government buildings. Remaining 12 Taluk offices namely

Sholinganallur, Alandur, Kuthalam, Kurinjipadi, Sulur, Karambakudi, Ponnamaravathi, Ambur, Madhavaram, Kadavur, Tiruverumbur and Madathukulam are

functioning in rented buildings. Proposals for the

16

construction of new Taluk office buildings at Sulur, Kadavur and Tiruverumbur are included in the Part II Scheme for the year 2012-2013.

1.8.4 Buildings for Revenue Inspectors Of the 1127 Revenue Inspectors, 1093 Revenue Inspector (except Chennai) have been provided with Office-cum-residence. The Office-cum-residence

buildings are required to be provided for the remaining 34 Revenue Inspectors. The Government have

decided to construct 34 Revenue Inspector`s Officecum-residence buildings in a phased manner. In the first phase, 7 Revenue Inspector Office-cum-

residence building will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.79 lakhs.

1.8.5 Buildings for Village Administrative Officers Of the 12,507 Village Administrative Officers, 12,300 Village Administrative Officers have been provided with office buildings. The office buildings will

17

be

provided

for

the

remaining

207

Village

Administrative Officers in a phased manner. 1.9 Lap-top Computers to Village Administrative Officers On 14.11.2011 at Collectors Conference, the Honble Chief Minister announced for the sanction of Lap-top with Printers to Village Administrative Officers for better service delivery to the people. As a first phase, Lap-top computers with Printers and training will be provided for 7787 Village Administrative Officers at a cost of Rs. 22.49 crore. The Hon'ble Chief Minister inaugurated the scheme on 27.3.2012. 1.10 Sanction of New Post For expeditious disposal of the pending court cases in the districts, the Honble Chief Minister has announced at the Collectors Conference held on 14.11.2011 for the sanction of new post of P.A.(Legal) to Collectors of all districts. Accordingly, necessary Government order has been issued. These posts will be filled up soon.

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1.11 Land Revenue The total area of Wet and Dry lands registered as per revenue records in Tamil Nadu is as follows:Wet Lands Dry Lands - 16,57,676 Hectares - 67,80,080 Hectares

Land Revenue is being collected as follows a. Collection of Rs.5/- per hectare for Dry Land and Rs.12/- per hectare for Wet Land. b. B Memo penalty of Rs.12/- is collected in respect of unobjectionable encroachments on

Government Poromboke Lands. c. A minimum amount of Re.1/- (Basic Assessment) is collected for every Patta that is registered.

Land Revenue demand for the fasli 1420 (201011) is Rs.10.43 crore and collected amount is Rs.10.55 crore. For fasli 1421(2011-12) the provisional land revenue demand is Rs 9.76 crore. Final demand will be arrived after Jamabandhi. The land revenue collection year is computed from 1st of July every year. The Jamabandhi

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programme is approved by the Collector every year and published in the District Gazette. The closure of the revenue accounts is done through the conduct of Jamabandhi every year.

1.11.1 Land Revenue Remission Due to the damage caused by the Cyclone Thane on 30.12.2011, the Hon`ble Chief Minister has ordered waiver of the entire land revenue for the fasli 1421 in Cuddalore and Villupuram Districts.

1.12 Natural Calamities and Disaster Management Revenue Administration, Disaster Management and Mitigation Department plays a pivotal role in disaster management and is responsible for

precautionary, relief and rehabilitation measures in the State. State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has been constituted with the Hon'ble Chief Minister as Chairperson to monitor the disaster management activities in the State. A State Executive Committee

20

has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary to assist the above authority. District

Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is also constituted Chairperson. with The the District Collector as its

disaster

preparedness

relief

measures are implemented and monitored in the districts by the District Collectors concerned. The 13 coastal districts, viz., Chennai,

Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, and

Ramanathapuram,

Thoothukudi,

Tirunelveli

Kanniyakumari are highly vulnerable and affected by the trough and depression formed in the Bay of Bengal during Southwest and Northeast monsoon periods.

1.12.1 Pre-monsoon preparedness Measures A Pre-monsoon preparedness review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary is held before the onset of Northeast Monsoon. Similarly in the districts, a District Coordination Committee meeting is held

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under the Chairmanship of Collector with the line departments. Based on the suggestions and

feedback received during the meeting necessary preventive measures are taken. Mock drills are also conducted. An Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) is functioning in the Office of the the State Relief

Commissioner

throughout

year.

Advance

information on disasters is received in this centre and disseminated to the concerned authorities for taking immediate followup action. Besides, telephone,

computers and fax facilities, a toll free public utility services Telephone No. 1070 has been installed in the centre.

1.12.2 Raingauge Stations Tamil Nadu has 395 rain gauge stations which are well distributed throughout the State. The rainfall recorded in these stations are sent to the office of the State Relief Commissioner. These rain gauge

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stations are periodically inspected by the staff of India Meteorological Department and Revenue Department. 1.12.3 Cyclone Shelters There are 124 cyclone shelters in the State. In addition, 121 multipurpose evacuation shelters are proposed to be constructed under Vulnerability Reduction of Coastal Communities Project at a cost of about Rs.262.86 crore. 1.12.4 Rainfall 2011 The State receives an average annual rainfall of 960 mm. During Southwest monsoon period the

State received 317 mm of actual rainfall against the normal rainfall of 330.8 mm. The State receives

Northeast monsoon rainfall during the months of October, November and December. In the year 2011, the Northeast monsoon period commenced on 24.10.2011 and ended on 10.01.2012. This year the State received 557.9 mm rainfall during the Northeast monsoon period against the normal rainfall of 468.0 mm which is 19% in excess. districts, viz., Tiruppur, Theni, This year 20 Madurai,

Karur,

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Dindigul, Tirunelveli, Krishnagiri, Erode, Thoothukudi, Kancheepuram, Sivaganga, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli,

Namakkal, Pudukkottai, Salem and Virudhunagar have received excess rainfall during Northeast monsoon and there has been normal rainfall in Kanniyakumari, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai,

Dharmapuri, Ariyalur, Vellore, The Nilgris, Chennai, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Perambalur and Nagappattinam districts. The Honble Chief Minister critically reviewed the progress of relief measures on 07.11.2011 in view of Northeast monsoon rainfall and ordered for

enhancement of cash assistance to mitigate the sufferings of the flood affected people. In accordance with the orders of the Honble Chief Minister, for the families of the deceased and for those who lost their properties and huts due to Northeast monsoon rains, following assistance was granted in G.O.(Ms) No. 342, Revenue (D.M.II) Department, dated 9.11.2011

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Sl. No.

Quantum of Enhanced assistance cash already given assistance 1 Loss of human Rs. Rs. life 1,00,000/2,00,000/2 Cash assistance to the families in evacuation centres Food, Besides Rice 10Kg. Food, Rice Dhoti-1 10Kg. Saree-1 Dhoti-1 Kerosene -1 Saree-1 and litre Kerosene -1 litre, additional amount of Rs.1000/- in cash Rs. 10,000 Rs.1,000 Rs.30 Rs. 20,000 Rs. 2,000 Rs.100

Nature of relief measure

3 Cattle loss: Milch animal (Cow, buffalo) Goat / Sheep Hen 1.13 Cyclone 'Thane' During the Northeast

monsoon

period,

on

26.12.2011, warning about Thane cyclone was received from India Meteorological Department and

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consequently all the coastal district collectors and line departments were alerted. Due warnings were issued and the fishermen were requested not to venture into the sea. National Disaster Response Force was sent to Tiruvallur and Cuddalore districts. The Chief Secretary conducted a meeting on 29.12.2011 with the senior officers to take immediate precautionary measures to handle the effects of the approaching cyclone. The Thane cyclone which moved towards the Tamil Nadu coast crossed the shore at about 6.30 a.m on 30.12.2011 near Cuddalore. Due to the cyclone, the districts of Cuddalore and Villupuram were severely affected. Thousands of trees were uprooted. The entire electricity infrastructure was

severely damaged. Lakhs of huts and tiled houses were damaged. Agricultural and Horticultural crops especially cashew in particular were affected. The

Honble Chief Minister immediately convened a meeting on 30.12.2011 and ordered release of Rs.150 crore for taking up immediate relief works and

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in G.O. (Ms) No. 393, Revenue (D.M.II) Department, dated 30.12.2011 funds were released to the tune of Rs. 150 crore. Subsequently, based on the orders of Honble Chief Minister on 03.01.2012, Rs.700 crore were released in addition to Rs.150 crore already released, making the total sanction to Rs.850 crore for the following relief and restoration measures. 1 Relief for damaged huts and tiled houses 2 Drinking water supply in the affected areas 3 Tamil Nadu Electricity Board 4 Input subsidy to farmers for crops damaged 5 Damaged fishing boats and nets 6 Temporary restoration of roads 7 Human loss, cattle loss, provision of dhotis, sarees, rice, kerosene and other miscellaneous expenditure Rs.114 crore Rs.50 crore Rs.300 crore Rs.166 crore Rs. 20 crore Rs.150 crore Rs. 50 crore

The Honble Chief Minister also visited the cyclone affected areas in Cuddalore and Villupuram

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districts aerially on 04.01.2012 to assess the damage and distributed relief to the affected persons at Cuddalore. While windfallen trees and other road blocks

were removed within 24 hours restoring the road traffic, action was taken to ensure water supply through tanker lorries in affected areas in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts by engaging tanker lorries from other districts and generators for generation of power. Due to cyclone Thane, 27 HT towers, 45460 electric poles and 4700 transformers were completely uprooted. To ensure prompt resumption of power

supply in the affected areas, action was taken to deploy about 10,000 employees of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board from other districts to reconstruct the electrical infrastructure that were totally devastated due to Thane cyclone. Funds were sanctioned for the following ex-gratia payments and other relief.

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Enhanced compensation for the families of the deceased at Rs.2 lakhs per family (for 56 families) Compensation for Cattle loss (401 Nos.) For damaged huts/tiled houses-577584 Input subsidy to farmers for affected crops (2,34,082 Hectares) 1.13.1 Visit of Central Team

Rs. 112 lakhs

Rs. 24.31 lakhs Rs.16006 lakhs Rs.21468 lakhs

A Central Team comprising of 10 members, headed by Thiru Lokesh Jha, Joint Secretary to

Government, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India visited visited the cyclone affected areas. The team Cuddalore district on and 09.01.2012 and

Villupuram,

Nagapattinam

Kancheepuram

Districts on 10.01.2012 and assessed the damages. A memorandum seeking financial assistance of Rs.5248.80 crore from Government of India for relief and restoration of damages was presented to the Central Team. An interim assistance of Rs.500 crore has been released by Government of India.

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1.13.2 Special Relief Package Programme for the damaged Annual and Perennial crops On 04.02.2012 on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, the Honble Chief Minister announced that a Special Relief Package Programme at a cost of Rs.790.18 crore shall be implemented in Cuddalore and Villupuram districts for the farmers who have lost Agricultural and Horticultural crops in general and cashew in particular through a Project Management Unit at Cuddalore headed by a Project Director in the cadre of Additional Collector. For implementation of the programme, a sum of Rs.65.22 crore for Agricultural crops and Rs.724.96 crore for

Horticultural crops have been allocated. The Honble Chief Minister also announced that the districts of Cuddalore and Villupuram will be declared as cyclone affected. Accordingly, in G.O.(Ms)No.46, Revenue [DM-II] Department, dated 06.02.2012, the districts of

Cuddalore and Villupuram were declared as Cyclone affected Districts. By this announcement, the short

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term and medium term loans have been rescheduled besides enabling farmers to get fresh crop loans.

1.14 Fire Accident- Relief measures Immediate relief assistance is extended to the huts damaged due to the fire accidents. As per the announcement made by the Honble Chief Minister on 10.06.2011, orders have been issued for providing enhanced cash assistance of Rs.5000/- for fully damaged huts and Rs.2500/- for partly damaged huts as against Rs.2000/- and Rs.1,000/- provided earlier respectively. In addition, one dhoti, one saree, ten kgs of rice and one litre of kerosene are also provided to each affected family.

1.15 State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) Relief Assistance is normally provided from the State Disaster Response Fund (earlier known as Calamity Relief Fund). The amounts allotted under the State Disaster Response Fund for the period from 2010 to 2015 are as follows:-

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Year 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 Total

Allocation
(Rs. in crore)

293.52 308.20 323.61 339.79 356.78 1621.90

In addition to the above, a sum of Rs.25 crore (Rs.5 crore for each year) is provided as grant towards Capacity Building for Disaster Management during 2010-11 to 2014-15, based on the

13th Finance Commissions recommendation. 1.16 Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation A powerful Tsunami had struck the Tamil Nadu coast on 26.12.2004. The Honble Chief Minister had directed the departments concerned to take relief measures on warfooting basis and visited and

Kanniyakumari,

Nagapattinam,

Cuddalore

Chennai districts and ordered immediate distribution of relief assistance to the Tsunami affected.

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Relief and rehabilitation works were carried out in the Tsunami affected places with the help of funds received from the Government of India, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Prime Ministers Relief Fund, National and International NGOs and the State Government. A sum of Rs. 3,865.21 crore had been spent so far. Now, works for Rs.786.92 crore under World

Bank aided Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project and Rs. 355.08 crore under Tsunami

Rehabilitation Programme totaling to Rs.1142 crore are under progress. The details are as follows:-

1.16.1 Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme (TRP) Under the above programme the works relating to construction of fish landing centres, roads and bridges and construction of houses in rural and urban areas taken up at a cost of Rs.355.08 crore are under progress.

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1.16.2 World Bank aided Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project (ETRP) An agreement for the above project was signed in May 2005 (12.5.2005) in order to revive livelihoods and to promote recovery of people who were affected by Tsunami that devastated major coastal areas of the State. The original outlay of the project was US $ 423 million corresponding to Rs. 1852.74 crore. The 5 components devised under this project were

1.Housing reconstruction, 2.Restoration of livelihood, 3.Repair and reconstruction, 4.Technical assistance and training and 5.Implementation support. Among these 5 components, the Housing

reconstruction component was allotted the major share with 84% (US $ 354.20 Million-Rs.1445.40 crore) since it was then envisaged that this sector was most severely damaged. However, due to

overwhelming response of large number of NGOs for housing reconstruction and utilization of Government of India grants for the reconstruction of damaged rural infrastructure, only construction of houses in urban

34

areas has been taken up under ETRP.

Hence,

significant savings were available under ETRP in Housing Re-construction component. In order to utilize the funds effectively, it was decided to restructure Tsunami the World Bank aided by

Emergency

Reconstruction

Project

revising the Project Development Objective to revive livelihoods and promote recovery in the Tsunami affected areas in the short-term and to reduce the vulnerability of coastal communities to a range of natural hazards such as cyclone, storm surge, flood and Tsunami over the longer term. The revised project agreement is called

Restructured ETRP-VRCC Agreement. The revised allocation under this agreement was Rs.1959.10 crore (US $ 415 million). Under the revised agreement the project period was also extended upto 31.12.2011. The components under the Restructured ETRPVRCC Programme included construction of 14369 natural disaster resistant houses in rural areas, laying of 46.01 kms of evacuation routes, installation of 439

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early

warning

systems,

construction

of

121

multipurpose evacuation shelters along the coastal areas in addition to infrastructure works like

construction of fishing harbours, fish landing centres, providing coastal stability to river bar mouths, establishment of tube ice plant, construction of tenements at Okkiyam-Thoraipakkam, All India Radio site, Tiruvottiyur and at Marina, construction of stone pillars at High Tide Line reference points, preparation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan and sanitation works in Tsunami affected town panchayat and municipal areas. As the project period ended on 31.12.2011, a project on Disaster Risk Reduction which covers the ongoing works of the erstwhile Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project and the newly proposed capacity building initiatives in risk reduction/ mitigation at a cost of Rs.1142 crore has been prepared and sent to the Government of India for obtaining financial assistance of the World Bank and the same is under consideration of the Government of India.

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LAND ADMINISTRATION Land Administration Department administers all the Government lands of the State Government. This department consists of one Additional Commissioner, two Joint Commissioners and five Assistant

Commissioners.

At the district level, the land are

administered by the District Revenue Officers. All Government lands are under the custody of Revenue Department. Land Administration

Department deals with the various important Revenue subjects such as assignment of cultivable land, assignment of house site, land lease, land alienation, land transfer, land on acquisition, Government eviction lands of and

encroachments

Cinematography Act, 1955.

2.1 Patta Transfer The Honble Chief Minister has announced in the Assembly on 10.6.2011 that the procedure for patta transfer will be streamlined to avoid delay and

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frequent visits by the petitioners to the taluk offices. In this regard, the Honble Chief Minister also announced that necessary changes will be made in Revenue Standing Order 31(8), so that the public grievances are addressed promptly within a stipulated period. In continuation of the announcement by the Honble Chief Minister, an amendment to Revenue Standing Order 31 to enable Village Administrative Officer to receive patta transfer applications has also been issued in GO. (Ms) No. 209, Revenue [SS-I(1)] Department, dated 8.7.2011. Subsequently detailed instructions to receive applications to pursue action have also been issued in G.O. (Ms) No. 210, Revenue [SS-I(1)] Department, Dated 8.7.2011. Because of

the issuance of these Government Orders, the petitioners need to pay sub-division fees only after orders are passed by the Tahshildar in respect of patta transfer. The unnecessary difficulties faced by the public are avoided.

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2.1.1 Salient Features of the G.O. are as follows:(a) Cases Not Involving Sub-Divisions On every Monday the public can give application to the Village Administrative Officer in his village and then get orders on 2nd Friday at Taluk office from the concerned Zonal Deputy Tahsildar. (b) Cases Involving Sub-Divisions The same procedure as outlined above will be followed. However, since the Tahsildar has to pass orders in the cases involving subdivisions, the petitioner will receive order on the 4th Friday from the date of submission of application. This work should be completed within 30 days. The applicant shall pay the sub - division fee after receipt of the order from the Tahsildar. The Zonal Deputy Tahsildar and Revenue Inspector shall visit villages every Monday and Tuesday to see the progress of the work. The Commissioner of Land Administration shall

review the work every fortnight.

39

(c) Mode of Scheme 1) The Village Administrative Officer shall receive applications in his village on Mondays and on Tuesdays in the incharge village. 2) In all taluk offices, every Friday is observed as patta transfer day. The Village Administrative Officers and Field Surveyors are fully engaged in this work. 3) Regarding patta transfer cases the uncertainty prevailed previously has been removed and a time limit has been fixed for issue of patta transfer orders. As on 20.03.2012, 14.60 Lakhs Pattas have been transferred. 2.2 Land Assignment 2.2.1 Assignment of House sites House site assignment is given as per the provisions contained in RSO 21. Assignable lands

except objectionable porambokes such as water

40

course are assigned to the eligible persons. Free house sites are assigned to houseless people having an income below Rs.30,000 in rural areas and Rs.50,000 in urban areas. House sites are assigned in favour of women member of family. As per the

existing rules, three cents in villages, one and half cents in Municipal areas and one cent in Corporation areas respectively are assigned. House sites are assigned in the following order of preference: 1. Families of Defence personnel, including Border Security Force, Territorial Army Personnel etc., killed in action or disabled 2. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes 3. Released Bonded Labourers 4. Ex-Servicemen 5. Houseless poor The following Revenue Officers are delegated with the following powers of monetary limits in the assignment of house sites vide G.O.(Ms)No.248,

Revenue Department, dated 28.7.2009 :-

41

Sl. No 1 2 3 4 5 6

Officers Tahsildar Revenue Divisional Officer District Revenue Officer District Collector Commissioner of Land Administration Government After assuming charge

Monetary Limit Rs. 30,000/50,000/1,00,000/4,00,000/5,00,000/Above 5,00,000/on 16.5.2011, the

Government decided to issue 1,00,000 pattas during the year (2011-12).

house site

So far, 1,18,624

House site pattas have been issued upto 15.3.2012 which exceeds the target fixed for financial year 2011 - 2012.

2.3 Land Acquisition 2.3.1 Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Central Act, 1/1894) Central Act 1/1894 is being invoked for

acquisition of land for public purpose in general. In this Act, the time prescribed for completion of Land Acquisition proceedings under ordinary clause is three

42

years. In case of acquisition of land for emergency purposes, land acquisition work is completed in 180 days invoking the urgency provision of section 17(1) and 17(2) of this Act. As per PERT CHART, time limit is prescribed for each stage of acquisition process. The following special Acts have been enacted to speed up the land acquisition process initiated in cases where the lands are acquired for road improvement and Industrial purposes. 1) Tamil Nadu Acquisition of land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997 (Act 10/1999) 2) Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 (Act 34/2002)

Tamil Nadu Acquisition of land for Harijan Welfare Schemes Act, 1978 (Act 31/1978) has been enacted to implement the welfare schemes of and Tribal Welfare. Adi-dravidar

43

2.3.2 Monetary Limit for Revenue Officials at the various level Sl.No.
1.

Officers
Tahsildar/Special Tahsildar

Revised Monetary Limit

2.

Upto Rs.2,50,000/- (Rupees two lakhs and fifty thousand only) Revenue Divisional Above Rs.2,50,000/Officers/Officers in (Rupees two lakhs and fifty the grade of Deputy thousand only) upto Collectors Rs.7,50,000/- (Rupees seven lakhs fifty thousand only) Collector

3.

Above Rs.7,50,000/(Rupees seven lakhs fifty thousand only) Upto Rs. 50,00,000/- (Rupees fifty lakhs only) 4 Commissioner of Above Rs.50.00,000/Land Administration (Rupees fifty lakhs) (As per G.O. (Ms) No. 12, Revenue Department, dated 7.1.2011.)

The acquisition proceedings initiated under Land Acquisition Act is found to be time consuming. Further, the Civil Courts have awarded higher compensation in many land acquisition cases. In

order to avoid such contingency, acquisition through private negotiation was introduced in G.O. (Ms) No. 885, Revenue Department, dated 21.9.95 forming

44

District Level Committee headed by the Collector and State Level Committee headed by the Commissioner of Land Administration. Revenue The Government in

G.O.(Ms)No.103, 28.02.2011,

Department, limit to

dated the

prescribed

monetary

committee for acquisition of land through private negotiation. 1. District Level Committee headed by the Collector to negotiate the price upto 150% of the market value or Guide Line Rate (GLR) value whichever is less and the negotiated value shall not exceed Rupees one crore. 2. Above one crore, but the negotiated value is within 150% of market value or GLR value

whichever is less, the State Level Committee headed by the Commissioner of Land

Administration is empowered to value.

approve the

3. If the negotiated value is above 150% of the market value or GLR value irrespective of total cost, the Government shall pass orders.

45

2.3.3 Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy Apart from awarding compensation to the poor families who are affected by acquisition of land, the Government is evolving a policy of Rehabilitation and Resettlement to uplift their livelihood and improving their standard of living

2.4 Land Transfer Government lands are transferred under

Revenue Standing Order 23 and 23(A)

to Central

Government Departments and State Government Departments on collection of land cost / on free of cost respectively. For the State Government Departments, such as Health, Education, Transport excluding the

objectionable lands, i.e. Water-course porambokes etc., the District Collectors are empowered to allot minimum extent of land without ceiling limit on land cost for the construction of Police Station, Police Quarters, Police Training Centre and Parade Ground

46

in

favour

of

the

Police

Department,

Regional

Transport Office in favour of Transport Department and requirement of other needy State Government

Departments. The Departments concerned, to whom land transfer has been made, have to judiciously utilize the land for the purpose for which it is transferred.

Revenue Department being the custodian of all Government lands and the Government in Revenue reserves the right to resume the unutilized lands. When Meikkal or Manthaiveli poramboke lands are involved in the proposal, an alternative land equal in extent is identified and the Department should remit requisitioning charges

development

to local body concerned @ Rs.6,000/- per acre. The local body should develop the above vested

alternative land and to permit the local cattle to graze on the developed land. The above alternative land will be under the supervision of the Revenue Department.

47

2.5 Alienation of Land Government lands are alienated under Revenue Standing Order 24 to Local Bodies for public purpose or to Government Undertakings / Corporations / Boards for the implementation of their Projects, Universities, BSNL, Information Technology Parks and also to Private Institutions, Companies and individuals either as a Grant or Collection of full or at a concessional value of the same. conditions lands If any of the

of alienation is violated, the to be resumed

alienated by the

are liable

Government, without any compensation. In view of public welfare, Government lands are alienated to Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board on free of cost for the

implementation of Drinking Water Scheme Works in Local Bodies and in Chennai City. Government lands are alienated to Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board for construction of tenements on free of cost and if

48

the lands are required for the construction of office buildings and other buildings, Government lands are alienated to Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board at a nominal land value of Rs.5,000/- per ground. Government lands are alienated to SIDCO / SIPCOT / TIDCO / ELCOT / TNEB / TNHB /

Neyveli Lignite Corporation on collection of single market value subject to certain conditions. 2.6 Land Lease Government lands and buildings are given on lease for non-agricultural purpose made in favour of Associations / Companies, private bodies individuals, local bodies and trusts under the provision of Revenue Standing Orders (RSO) 24A for a minimum period of 3 years to maximum 20 years. As per the orders of the Government, at present lease rent is collected @ 7% of the market value in the case of non-commercial purpose and @ 14% for commercial purpose.

49

The annual lease rent is revisable once in 3 years. In certain cases, nominal lease rent and long term lease are also granted by the Government in public interest. 2.6.1 Monetary Limit is fixed as detailed below:-

Officers Tahsildar Revenue Divisional Officer Collector/District Revenue Officer Commissioner of Land Administration Government

Monetary Limit NIL Upto Upto Upto Rs.20,000/Rs.50,000/Rs.2,00,000/-

Above Rs.2,00,000/-

(As per G.O.(Ms) No. 60, Revenue Department, dated 6.2.1999)

2.7 Salt Land Lease Salt land is being granted on lease for

manufacturing salt in the coastal areas as per RSO 24A. In the State of Tamil Nadu lease rent and royalty for manufacture of salt is fixed as follows:-

50

1 2

Lease rent Royalty

Rs.5/-per acre / per annum

3 4

Rs.2/-per metric tonne of salt produced subject to a minimum of Rs.100/- per acre / per annum Local cess 100% Rs.5/- per acre / per annum Local cess Rs.25/- per acre / per surcharge 500% annum Total Rs.135/- per acre / per annum The lease rent fixed by the Government is very

low when compared with other States. About 27,777 acres of lands have been leased out for salt production. 2.8 Eviction of Encroachments Eviction of encroachments on the Government lands is the prime duty of the Revenue Department. To evict the encroachers from the Government Land, the following Acts are enacted: 1. Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act, 1905 2. Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920

51

3. Tamil Nadu Protection of Tanks and Eviction of Encroachment Act, 2007 4. Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001 5. Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act, 1994 6. Tamil Nadu Public Premises (Eviction of unauthorized occupation) Act, 1975 7. Tamil Nadu Village Panchayat Act, 1958 To protect the water course lands such as Kulam, Kuttai, Odai, Channel and other catchment areas and to avoid encroachments on such lands, the

Government in their G.O. (Ms) No.41, Revenue Department, dated 20.01.1987 have issued ban orders for regularization of such encroachments. In G.O. (Ms) No.186, Revenue Department, dated 29.04.2003, detailed instructions were issued to follow the above Government orders scrupulously. The High Court, Madras has also delivered a judgement in W.P.No.20186/2000 to identify such illegal encroachments on the water course

52

porambokes and to restore their original position after eviction. Accordingly, importance is given to evict the encroachments in water bodies such as Tanks, Rivers, Lakes, Ponds and other water course porambokes in co-ordination with Public Works Department and Police Department. To evict the encroachments on the Government lands and to monitor the progress of work a Steering Committee at District level and a High Level

Committee at State level have been constituted. As regards the encroachments in poramboke and other lands vested with the Village Panchayat and Local Bodies as per the directions issued by the Honble Supreme Court of India in SLP No.3109/2011 and C.A.No.1132/2011, the Government is under compulsory obligation to formulate an action plan to find out and to evict the encroachments in the poramboke and other lands vested with the Village Panchayat and Local Bodies for the betterment of the community.

53

The encroachments on Government lands were identified and the details are as follows:Total No. of Encroachments identified as on 01.04.2011 No. Extent (acres) 299140 58820 79159 30342 No. of Encroachments Evicted upto 29.2.2012 No. Extent (acres) 13333 4605.24 9247 4925.00

Sl. No.

Classification

1 2

3 4 5

Water Course Porambokes Mayanam, Manthaiveli, Meikkal (AH) Forest (Kadu) Road / Pathai etc. Temple, Wakf Board etc. Religious Purpose Poramboke Land vested with Local Bodies Other Categories (Kallankuthu, Chavadi, Kalam, Thoppu etc.) Total

21691 68072 6830

28603 6333 1766

485 21046 874

73.38 587.52 260.01

63562

13316

18081

2351.56

98274

41979

9072

5421.24

658595 184148

72318 18223.98

54

2.9 Rationalisation of Minor Irrigation Statistics (R.M.I.S)

The Rationalisation of Minor Irrigation Statistics scheme has been launched in order to buildup a comprehensive database in the Minor Irrigation sector. The Commissioner of Land Administration

has been nominated as the Nodal Officer by the Government of Tamil Nadu for the conduct of Minor Irrigation Census in Tamil Nadu. The scheme was launched with the following objectives: 1. To organize on a quinquennial basis, a census of Minor Irrigation projects. 2. To take up studies regarding reconciliation of discrepancies in figures of area irrigated as

reported in agricultural statistics and in periodical progress reports received from the State

Governments after getting the Fourth Minor Irrigation

final report on from the

Census

Government of India.

55

3.

To organize and coordinate collection and compilation of statistics relating to minor

irrigation projects and their reporting on a regular quarterly and annual basis to the Government of India. 2.9.1 Fourth Minor Irrigation Census (2006-2007) The Fourth Minor Irrigation Census was

conducted with the reference year 2006-2007 wherein the Groundwater Schemes and Surface Water Schemes have been enumerated. given in the table.
Scheme Wise Data Details
Sl. No 1 2 3 Scheme
GROUND WATER SCHEME

The details are

Number of Schemes 1589216 116479 160607

Percentage

Dug Well Shallow Tube Well Deep Tube Well

SURFACE WATER SCHEME

83.10 6.09 8.40

4 5

Surface Water Scheme Surface Lift Water Scheme Total

38969 6999 1912270

2.04 0.37 100.00

56

2.9.2 Fifth Minor Irrigation Census (2011-12) The 5th Minor Irrigation Census with reference year 2011-12 is to commence from the year 2012-13. 2.10 Tamil Nadu Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1955 & Rules, 1957 Grant of licence to private individual for exhibition of films in cinema houses either Touring, Permanent or semi-permanent is being dealt with under the provision laid down in (1) Cinematography Act, 1952 (Central Act XXXVII/1952) (2) Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation ) Act, 1955 (Act IX of 1955) and (3) Tamil Nadu Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1957. In the Districts (Mofussil), the Collector is the Licensing Authority while the Commissioner of Police is the Licensing Authority in Chennai City. Total Number of Cinema Theatres in Tamil Nadu
Permanent Cinema Theatres Semi - Permanent Cinema Theatres Touring Cinema Theatres Open - Air - Cinema Theatres. Total 992 41 20 3 1056

57

LAND REFORMS 3.1 Land Ceiling The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 (Tamil Nadu Act, 58/1961) was enacted in pursuance of clauses (b) and (c) of Article 39 of the Constitution of India, to secure the distribution of ownership and control of the material resources of the community so that the operation of the economic system does not result in the

concentration of wealth and means of production in the hands of certain persons to the common detriment. Agricultural land ownership being a key resource for economic progress of the community, it was necessary to reduce the disparities in the ownership of agricultural land, fix a ceiling on agricultural land holdings, to acquire the excess land and distribute it to the landless and others in the rural community.

58

3.2 Ceiling The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms [Fixation of Ceiling on Land] Act, 1961 as amended from time to time, has fixed the ceiling area as follows:
Sl. No. 1. Category Extent allowed

Family For a family consisting of 5 members (including Private Trust and Company) i) Each additional Member

15 standard acres 5 standard acres

ii) Overall ceiling area

30 standard acres In addition, each female member of the family can hold 10 standard acres of land as Stridhana in her name. 2. Public Trusts a) As per amendment dated 5 standard acres 1.3.1972, Public Trust of Charitable nature b) All Public Trusts are prohibited from acquiring agricultural lands after 1.3.72 and require permission to hold lands. c) The Religious Trust of Public Nature, which was in existence before 1.3.1972 shall not come within the purview of the Land Ceiling Act.

59

3.3 Surplus Lands and Distribution The details of lands declared as surplus and the area assigned and the cases pending in the Court as on 29.2.2012 are as follows:Sl. No Details Area (in acres) 2,08,442 1,90,107 10,205

1. Extent notified as surplus 2. Land assigned to the landless poor 3. Extent allotted for public purposes under Rule 13 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Disposal of Surplus Land) Rules, 1965 4. Land assigned but under Court proceedings

8,130

Details of number of beneficiaries of the surplus land

Category of beneficiaries Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes Others Total Land reserved for public purpose Grand Total

Number of persons 66,429 240 83,894 1,50,563

Extent of assigned land (In acres) 71,277 322 1,18,508 1,90,107 10,205 2,00,312

60

3.3.1 Surplus lands assigned - proper sub-division and issue of F patta The announcement made by the Honble Minister for Revenue on the floor of Assembly during the Budget Session 2011-12, called for survey works for approximately 3000 acres of lands declared as 'surplus', under Land Reforms Act in Periyammapatti village, Palani Taluk, Dindigul District for proper subdivision to be done and distributed to eligible beneficiaries. Accordingly, in order to hand over the possession to the assignees, a Survey Team consisting of 14 members was formed to survey the lands to an extent of 1178.25 acres covered in the Minor Circuit Fields of Periyammapatti village. These survey works

started on 11.08.2011 and the survey work and Subdivision work have been completed on 20.12.2011. Further, an extent of 1508.24 acres (surplus land 1060.63 acres) is also covered in other Minor Circuit Fields in Periyammapatti village and a Survey Team consisting of 15 members has commenced the survey

61

work from 07.02.2012. It is expected that the survey and sub-division works would be completed before 30.4.2012 as per the plan of action. Further, the process of enquiry of the assignees occupation of the land is also and those in going on

simultaneously. Action has also been taken to identify such cases in other areas of the State, for handing over possession to the respective assignees after

completing the survey and sub-division works. 3.4 Concession to Industrial / Commercial Undertakings The Industrial or Commercial undertakings which acquire lands in excess of the ceiling area are permitted to hold the excess lands under Section 37-A of the Act by the Government. As per the existing provisions of the Act and the Rules framed there under, the Undertakings should apply for permission to the Government within 180 days either from the

62

Notified date of amended rules or from the date of purchase of such land. 3.4.1 Concession for Public Trusts Government grants permission under section 37-B of the Act to the Public Trust for holding the lands acquired for educational or hospital purpose. As per the existing provisions of the Act and the Rules framed thereunder, the Public Trust should apply for permission to the Government within 180 days either from the notified date of amended rules or from the date of purchase of land. 3.5 Revenue Courts To deal with the cases of Tenancy Laws, at

present six Revenue Courts are functioning in the State at Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur,

Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli and Madurai under the control of Special Deputy Collectors.

63

3.5.1 Tenancy Laws a) The Tamil Nadu Cultivating Tenants Protection Act, 1955 [Tamil Nadu Act 25/55] This Act protects the interest of the cultivating tenants, from eviction from the lands, except for nonpayment of lease rent or doing any act of injurious or destructive to the land or crops thereon, using the

land for any purpose other than agricultural or horticultural or wilfully denying the title of the land owner to the land. The disputes between the land

owners and tenants are settled by the Revenue Courts. Number of cases as on 1.6.2011 was 1590. Receipts were 185 till 29.2.2012. Disposal upto

29.2.2012 has been 669, leaving a balance pending of 1106 as on 29.2.2012. b) The Tamil Nadu Cultivating Tenants (Payment of Fair Rent) Act, 1956 [Tamil Nadu Act 24/56] This Act provides for fixing fair rent at 25% of the gross produce by the cultivating tenants to the

64

landowners. The fair rent may be paid either in cash or in kind. The cultivating tenant shall bear all the cultivation expenses and the landowner shall be responsible for the payment of all dues payable to Government in respect of the land. All the disputes between the land owners and tenants are settled by the Revenue Courts. Number of cases as on 01.06.2011 was 289. Receipts were 262 till 29.02.2012. Disposal upto

29.02.2012 has been 222, leaving a balance pending of 329 as on 29.02.2012. c) The Tamil Nadu Public Trusts (Regulation and Administration of Agricultural Land) Act, 1961 [Tamil Nadu Act 57/61] The Tamil Nadu Public Trust (Regulation and Administration of Agricultural Land) Act, provides for the exemption from the ceiling for the Religious Trust of Public Nature, which was in existence prior to 1.3.1972 . However, the Public Trusts are permitted to cultivate a maximum of 20 standard acres under their

65

personal cultivation and the remaining extent has to be let on lease. There are provisions in this Act for regulating the relationship between pubic trusts and their cultivating tenants as well as for settlement of disputes by the Revenue Courts. Number of cases as on 1.6.2011 was 7630. Receipts were 2706 till 29.2.2012. Disposal upto

29.2.2012 has been 2638, leaving a balance pending of 7698 as on 29.2.2012.

d) The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Lands (Record of Tenancy Rights) Act,1969 [Tamil Nadu Act 10/69] The rights of the cultivating tenants are protected under this Act by registering themselves as cultivating tenants under this Act. Under this Act, the Taluk Tahsildar acts as the Record Officer. So far, 2,59,615 persons have been registered as cultivating tenants under this Act.

66

e) The Tamil Nadu Occupants of Kudiyiruppu (Conferment of Ownership) Act, 1971 as amended This Act provides for conferring ownership rights to any agriculturist or agricultural labourer who occupies the land as tenant or as lessee. There is provision for extending the benefits to rural artisans, who were occupying the land with no house sites of their own. The details of the total number of

occupants who were conferred ownership rights over Kudiyiruppu as on 29.2.2012 are as follows:Sl. No 1. Category Total number of beneficiaries 1,01,333 2,746

Scheduled Castes

2.

Scheduled Tribes

3.

Others Total

80,701 1,84,780

67

Overall disposal and pendency in Revenue Courts Totally 9806 cases under various tenancy laws were pending in all Revenue Courts as on 31.5.2011. Following the announcement made in the

Revenue Demand in the Budget 2011-2012 in respect of speedy disposal of cases pending under various Tenancy Laws, there has been a 238% increase in disposal. 3705 cases have been disposed of during

the period from 1.6.2011 to 29.2.2012 as against a disposal of 1557 cases during 1.9.2010 to 31.5.2011. The average disposal has been 411 cases per month as against 194 cases per month earlier. During the period 1.6.2011 to 29.2.2012, a further 3,318 cases have been received, thus leaving pending cases as on 29.2.2012 at 9419. f) The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Fair Wages Act, 1969 This Act provides for payment of fair wages to agricultural labourers of Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur Districts for various types of agricultural works. In

68

regard to other districts, the Minimum Wages Act is being followed. 3.6 Computerisation of Land Reform Records Computerisation of Land Records has provided computerized copies of the Record of Rights (RoRs) to the landowners. Digitization of Field Measurement Sketches under Collabland is under progress. 'Anytime Anywhere Land Records as an e-service is available to the public. However, Bhoodan Lands and lands covered under Land Reforms Act, Section 37-A and 37-B have not yet been computerized or have got incorporated or integrated into the system. To address this issue, to enable public access to data of surplus land assignees and Bhoodan land allottees, to know the status of all surplus lands to the tune of 2,00,000 acres and Bhoodan land of 28,000 acres, to preserve these land records permanently, computerization of Land Reforms Department and linking with the Revenue Administration and

69

computerized system of Land Records on an on-going and real time basis is planned in 2012-13. 3.7 Bhoodan Board The Bhoodan Yagna Movement was started by Sri Acharya Vinoba Bhave. Sri Acharya Vinoba Bhave undertook Pada Yatra to several districts of

Tamil Nadu between 13.03.1956 and 18.04.1957 and received lands as donation to the Bhoodan Yagna. To regulate such lands received as donation, to transfer the title of the lands to the name of the Bhoodan Board and to distribute the lands to the landless poor, Tamilnadu Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1958 was enacted and rules framed thereunder. In G.O. (Ms) No. 493, Revenue [LR-I(1)] Department, dated 23.12.2009, Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board has been reconstituted under the Chairmanship of Honble Minister for Khadhi and 14 other official and non-official members. An extent of 28036.28 acres has been obtained as donation to the Bhoodan Board. Out of which, an

70

extent of 20492.57 acres has been distributed to the beneficiaries and the remaining extent of 7543.71 acres is covered under litigation, registration,

confirmation, etc. 3.8 Chief Ministers Farmers Security Scheme 2011 The Government in G.O. (Ms) No.265, Revenue [LR-I(2)] Department, dated 10.09.2011 have ordered to implement the Chief Ministers Farmers Security Scheme in lieu of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Farmers [Social Security and Welfare] Scheme 2006. Under the scheme, the following financial

assistance is given:1) Educational assistance 2) Marriage assistance for members and Children of the members 3) Old Age Pension 4) Accident relief 5) Natural death assistance 6) Funeral expenses

71

3.8.1 Novel Features 1. Equal rights have been given to husband and wife, where both are agriculturists and both are to be given member cards. 2. Maroon colour member Identity Cards are issued to the members in the family who are engaged in agriculture and the works allied to agriculture. Grey colour Identity Cards are provided to dependent family members of the agriculturist. The issue of Identity Cards to each and every registered member of the family is a unique feature of the scheme. This will enable linkage with the UID No. when assigned. 3. The scheme is implemented through the

Department of

Land Reforms unlike other

schemes of the past which had a number of Heads of Departments incharge of the different components. The Director of Land Reforms will act as the Nodal Officer.

72

4. Under the scheme, paralysis has been included in accident relief category and a sum of Rs.50,000/- is given as assistance. 5. To avail the funeral expenses amount of Rs.2,500/-, no death certificate is required and the amount will be paid immediately. 6. Marriage assistance given in the old scheme has been enhanced from Rs.3,000/- to Rs. 8,000/- for men and from Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 10,000/- for women. 7. The Old Age Pension has also been enhanced from Rs.500/- to Rs.1,000/-. 8. Fine Arts, Teacher education and Nursing has been included in this scheme for educational assistance. 9. Educational assistance can be availed under the scheme even if being obtained under other scheme. 10. Inland fishing is now included as one of the agriculture related activities.

73

11. This scheme is also applicable to the labourers working in plantations. 12. Destitute agricultural labourers drawing pension under Destitute Agricultural Labourers Pension Scheme, 1981 have been brought under this scheme to avoid duplication. 13. The Revenue Department acts as a single window for facilitating the availing of maternity assistance under the scheme of Health and Family Welfare Department and marriage assistance under the scheme of Social Welfare Department for the registered members of the scheme. A sum of Rs.92.57 crore was disbursed to

1,63,370 beneficiaries from 1.4.2011 to 10.9.2011 from the balance amount of the old scheme. Further, a sum of Rs.261.32 crore allotted under revised 2011-2012 for the new scheme

Budget Estimate

namely Chief Minister's Farmers Security Scheme . From 10.9.2011 to 29.2.2012, a sum of Rs.101.71

74

crore has been disbursed to 1,71,230 beneficiaries as detailed below: Sl.No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Details of Financial Rupees assistance in crore Marriage of members 0.38 Marriage of children of the 8.30 members Education 6.21 Old Age Pension 52.03 Natural Death and Funeral 25.40 Accident Relief 9.39 Total 101.71

From

01.06.2011

to

29.02.2012,

the

total

expenditure comes to Rs.182.07 crore, covering 2,16,272 beneficiaries. URBAN LAND CEILING AND URBAN LAND TAX 4.1 Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling & Regulation) Act, 1978 The Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978 (Tamil Nadu Act 24 of 1978) was enacted with a view to re-distribute the non agricultural lands concentrated in the hands of few

75

people and to bring the equitable distribution of urban land. To achieve this objective, ceiling on vacant land in the urban agglomerations of Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Salem and Tirunelveli was introduced. The Ceiling limit for the individual, family and the industrial undertaking in each urban agglomeration under the Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978 is given below:
Sl. No. 1 2 Urban Agglomeration Chennai Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli & Salem Tirunelveli Individual Sq.mt. 500 1500 Family Sq.mt. 2000 3000 Industrial undertaking Sq.mt 2000 3000

2000

4000

4000

The Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978 was repealed by the Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999 (Tamil Nadu Act 20/99) with effect from 16.6.1999. The Repeal Act does not apply to the

76

lands which were already acquired and in possession with the Government on the date of repeal. The status of the land acquired under the Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978 is as follows:
Sl. Details No. 1 Extent of lands allotted to Government Department and Government undertakings 2 Extent of lands covered by Writ Petition Extent of lands covered by Innocent purchase Extent of lands encroached (Land owners & others) Extent of Vacant land (without encroachment) Total In Sq.mts.,

43,51,756

26,70,730

23,31,760

72,69,355

23,55,845

1,89,79,446

77

4.2 Tamil Nadu Urban Land Tax Act, 1966, Amended Act, 1991 The Tamil Nadu Urban Land Tax was introduced on 1.7.63 with the objective of levying tax on the non agriculture urban lands and to prevent the

concentration of urban lands with few people. The Act was made applicable to Chennai City in the first instance and later, extended to Trichy, Madurai, Salem and Coimbatore Towns, Chennai City belt areas, Tirunelveli Corporation and Kancheepuram, Vellore, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Thanjavur,

Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai, Pudukottai, Karaikudi, Karur, Namakkal, Mettur, Erode, Dindigul, Palani, Kodaikanal, Pollachi, Udumalpet, Tiruppur,

Thoothukudi, Rajapalayam, Uthagamandalam and Nagercoil - totally 23 municipalities were included under this Act. Urban Land Tax is levied on the basis of market value as on 1.7.81 in all these areas with effect from 1.7.91. The tax structure is as follows:-

78

Sl. No.
1. 2.

Chennai and other Urban Agglomeration

Up to 2 Grounds Exceeding 2 Grounds upto 5 grounds Exceeding 5 Grounds upto 10 grounds Exceeding 10 Grounds upto 20 grounds Exceeding 20 Grounds

All urban lands in the Chennai City Belt Area

Up to 3 Grounds Exceeding 3 Grounds upto 7 grounds Exceeding 7 Grounds upto 10 grounds Exceeding 10 Grounds upto 20 grounds Exceeding 20 Grounds

Nil 0.7% of the market value 1% of the market value 1.5% of the market value 2% of the market value

Nil 0.7% of the market value 1% of the market value 1.5% of the market value 2% of the market value

3.

4.

5.

The following lands are exempted from levy of Urban Land Tax under Section 29 of the Act (i) Lands owned by the Central and State Government and Local bodies

(ii) Lands set apart for public worship (iii) Lands used for Hospitals approved by the State Government

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(iv) Lands used as burial Grounds (v) Lands used as roads (vi) Lands used by Schools, Colleges or Universities recognised by the Government of Tamil Nadu (vii) Lands used for Public Parks, Public Libraries and Museums (viii) Lands used for orphanages sheltering destitutes and for

The Government, under Section 27(1) of the Act, may grant exemption from payment of Urban Land Tax in respect of the lands owned by charitable, religious, philanthropic and other institutions, in cases where the payment of Urban Land Tax causes undue hardship to these institutions. The Government has granted tax concessions to the following institutions. (i) Industries having Small Scale Industries Certificate are granted 25% tax concessions while other industries are granted 10% concession;

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(ii) All Music and Drama Sabhas are granted 50% tax concession; (iii) Cinema Theatres concession; are granted 10%

(iv) Lands notified as slums are granted full concessions and (v) A rebate of 50% of the tax is being given where there is a building on the lands wholly occupied by the owner for residential purposes only. In order to speed up the disposal of appeals against assessment and levy of Urban Land Tax and to provide relief to the public, Government have appointed the District Revenue Officers of the respective Districts as Tribunals. SURVEY AND SETTLEMENT Survey and Land Records Department (SLRD) is one of the oldest Departments functioning under the control of Revenue Department and is undertaking Natham Survey, Town Survey and Resurvey works.

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5.1 Organisational Hierarchy The following are the organisational structure of Survey and Settlement Department.
Sl.No. 1 2 3 Officer Commissioner of Survey and Settlement Additional Director of Survey and Land Records Joint Director of Survey Regional Deputy Directors of Survey and Land Records, Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and Madurai Assistant Directors of Survey and Land Records in all districts Deputy Inspector of Survey in the Survey Section of all the Taluk Offices. Level Head of the Department 2nd level officer (for Survey matters) Central Survey Office

Regional Level

District Level

Taluk Level

5.2 Duties and Responsibilities This Department performs various types of

functions which are as follows: (i) Performing land survey, recording of

measurements of lands, preparation of survey

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and settlement records, preparation of maps, etc. (ii) Updation of land records (i.e. permanent village records) in Taluk offices with reference to the changes in land ownerships. (iii) Identifying encroachments, maintenance of survey stones, pointing out field boundaries, etc. 5.3 Policies / Schemes for the year 2012 -2013 5.3.1 Expeditious action on Patta Transfer applications In G.O. (Ms) No. 210, Revenue [SS-I(1)] Department, dated 08.07.2011, the Government have issued orders for expediting the work related to Patta Transfers in Taluk offices and have formulated new procedures. Accordingly, all the vacant positions in the Survey sections of all the Taluk offices have been filled up and the staff have been geared up to perform and complete the work within the time-limit

mentioned in the Government Order. The progress of

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the work is reviewed periodically to ensure that the applications seeking Patta Transfer are disposed off within the time-limit. A Computer, Laserjet Printer, UPS, Computer Table and Chair and a Multifunction Device (Mini Copier cum Scanner cum Printer) for Survey sections have been supplied to each of the 220 Taluk offices using the balance amount available under the Computerisation of Land Records Programme, for expediting the work related to Patta Transfer work. Orders have been placed for the supply of one more Computer, Printer and UPS to all the Taluk offices so as to strengthen the facilities for Patta Transfer work. Action is underway to provide Tamil Nadu State Wide Area Network (TNSWAN) connectivity to the above-mentioned new computers in Taluk offices. Action has also been taken to develop web based software through National Informatics Centre for uploading the status of Patta Transfer applications so that the latest status report can be downloaded for closely monitoring the progress.

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5.3.2 National Land Records Modernisation Programme This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which aims at ushering in a system of updated land records, automated mutation, integration between textual and spatial records and inter-connectivity between

revenue and registration. Based on the proposals sent by this department, Government of India have sanctioned Rs. 468.57 Lakhs for the following purposes under the National Land Records Modernisation 1st Programme and

released Rs. 281.14 Lakhs (i.e. 60% of Rs.468.57 Lakhs) being the instalment, as Central

Governments Share.

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Sl. No. Name of the Scheme

Total Estimated cost for two districts towards the project (Rs. in Lakhs)

Funds 1st Governme sanctio Instalment nt of Tamil ned by (60%) Nadus Govern released share to ment of by be India, Governm released (Rs. in ent of (matching Lakhs) India, grant) (Rs. in (Rs. in Lakhs) Lakhs)

Creation of Modern Record Rooms (Land Records Management Centres) in the 10 Taluks of Kancheepuram district and 11 Taluks of Tirunelveli district Data Entry of Urban Land Records in Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli districts Creation of one NLRMP Cell / Centre at Survey Training Institute, Orathanadu, Thanjavur District

525.00 ( 50:50 ratio by Governme nt of India & Governme nt of Tamil Nadu)

262.50

157.50

157.50

20.00 (100% by Governme nt of India)

10.00

6.00

196.08 (100% by Governme nt of India)

196.07

117.64

Total

468.57

281.14

157.50

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Using the funds sanctioned above, (i) Land Records Management Centres will be established in all the Taluk Offices of Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli districts (as per the guidelines of NLRMP) with

necessary infrastructure like storage area with compactors, operational area with computers, printers, networking, etc., and public service area with arrangements for reception, waiting, etc. (ii) Data entry of Urban Land Records of the above districts will be carried out through outsourcing. (iii) NLRMP training cell will be established at the Survey Training Institute, Orathanadu and all the modern instruments sanctioned by the Government will be supplied.

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5.4 Survey Schemes in Progress 5.4.1 Natham Survey Natham Survey has been completed in 218 Taluks out of the 220 Taluks of the State. The scheme is in progress in Sholinganallur Taluk of

Kancheepuram District and Madhavaram Taluk of Tiruvallur District. The work will be completed before June 2012. 5.4.2 Town Survey Out of the 10 Corporations in the State, Town Survey work has been completed in 5 Corporations and the work is in progress in 3 Corporations (Chennai, Tiruppur, Vellore). Similarly, out of the 150 Municipalities in the State, Town Survey work has been completed in 97 Municipalities and the work is in progress in 11 Municipalities. The work will be continued during the year 2012 2013 and completed within a definite time frame. After the completion of the work in the present locations, the work will be

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taken

up

in

the

remaining

Corporations

Municipalities in a phased manner. 5.4.3 Modern Survey Scheme Offices It has been proposed to create Modern Survey Scheme Offices in 8 districts (viz. Tiruvallur, Vellore, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Madurai and Tirunelveli) with all facilities like Computers and accessories, Total Stations, Plotters, Mapping

Software, etc. so that modern survey can be carried out in the rural area upgraded as municipalities in the surroundings of these 8 districts. This will be gradually extended to the remaining districts. 5.5 Computerization of the Commissionerate and Central Survey Office Action has been pursued for forming cabins and providing computer with to a each view seat to in this

Commissionerate

implementing

e-governance in its entirety. Action has already been taken to fix cabins through the Public Works

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Department. Computers and accessories will be installed through ELCOT. Similarly, computerization of the Central Survey Office has already been commenced using the funds sanctioned by the State Government under the Part-II Schemes. The objective of this scheme is to scan and preserve all the old survey records available at the State Archives for future reference. Computers and accessories have been installed. Scanners, Plotter, etc., will be supplied soon and the entire work will be completed during the year 2012 - 2013. 5.6 Technical Assistance through Outsourcing Using the funds sanctioned under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes, action has been pursued to engage technically qualified persons through Centre for Survey Training and Research (Anna University, Chennai) for assisting the department staff in modern survey work and mapping. Also, one or two of such technically qualified persons will be engaged at the

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Survey Training Institute, Orathanadu as faculty in modern surveying and mapping. 5.7 Settlement According to the historical convention followed through centuries, the Government is entitled to a share of the produce of the land from the land owners. The commuted money value of such share is called the Assessment and the procedure by which the

assessment determined is known as Settlement of Land Revenue. Under ryotwari settlement, the

assessment of land tax is determined, with reference to composition of soil, sub-divided into sorts and

grades based on the properties of the soil and other factors affecting the fertility of the soil. With a view to increase the land revenue, the British Government collected assessment from

cultivators on the half-net principle, by which the assessment could be upto half of the value of the produce.

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The cultivators were very much affected because the land tax was collected by the Zamindars and Inamdars from them. The system of collecting land tax directly from the cultivators by the Government called Ryotwari Settlement was then introduced. The burden of land tax on the cultivators came down considerably. After Independence, a series of Land Reforms Acts have been enacted and many schemes

implemented, in order to abolish the Intermediaries between the Government and the ryots. By

implementing Settlement works under the various Abolition Acts, records such as 1.Village Map, 2. Field Measurement Book, 3. Fair Adangal, 4.Fair Chitta, 5.List of Encroachment and maps, 6. Ground Rent Register and Ground Rent Field Measurement Book (Only for Town areas) are prepared and handed over to the District Revenue Administration for

maintenance work and to carryout changes whenever required.

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5.8 The Tamil Nadu Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act,1948 (Tamil Nadu Act 26/1948) The Act provides for the acquisition of the rights of the land holders in estates and for the introduction of ryotwari settlement in such estates. removed all kind of The Act

intermediaries viz. Zamindar,

Inamdar having the melwaram rights, on payment of compensation. Accordingly, all the estates were taken over by the Government and Ryotwari Settlement was introduced. The Settlement work has been completed in all the 5092 estates taken over by the Government. The number of beneficiaries are 23,33,840.

5.9

The Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition And Conversion Into Ryotwari) Act, 1963 (Tamil Nadu Act 26/1963) 5.9.1 Inam During the regime of Hindu Kings, Mughal Kings and the British, the lands were gifted as grant to Soldiers, Government Officers, Religious Institutions,

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Charitable Institutions, Service holders, Scholars without levying assessment or at low rate of This type of

assessment to perform their services. grant is known as Inams.

The Act provides for the acquisition of rights of Land holders in Inam Estate in the State of Tamil Nadu and the introduction of the ryotwari settlement in such estates. The Settlement work has been completed in the 2115 estates out of 2125 Estates taken over by the Government. The work is pending in respect of 10 estates. The number of beneficiaries were 3,62,118. 5.10 The Tamil Nadu Leaseholds (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963 (Tamil Nadu Act 27/1963) The Act provides for the termination of leases of certain lease hold lands, granted by the Government, acquisition of the rights of the lessees in such leaseholds settlement. and the introduction of Ryotwari

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Work has been completed in all the 12 estates taken over by the Government under this Act. number of beneficiaries are 6003. 5.11 The Tamil Nadu Minor Inam (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963 (Tamil Nadu Act, 30/1963) 5.11.1 Minor Inam The lands that had been granted in an Inam Title Deed in cawnies, acres, cents, etc., are called Minor Inams. The Act provides for the acquisition of the rights of the inamdars in minor inams in the State of Tamil Nadu and the introduction of Ryotwari settlement in such Inams. The Act applies to Minor Inam lands covered under title deeds and all lands recognized as Minor Inams under Section 17 and 14 of Act, 26/1948 and 26/1963 respectively The total number of Title Deeds taken over by the Government is 1,37,038. Number of beneficiaries The

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are 5,11,506. Settlement has to be introduced in 5 title deeds.

5.12 The Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969 (Tamil Nadu Act, 24/1969) The Act provides for the acquisition of rights of the Janmies in Janmam estates of the Gudalur Taluk in Nilgiris District and the introduction of Ryotwari Settlement. Some of the leaseholders and janmies filed Civil Appeals and Writ Petitions Supreme before the

Court, challenging the inclusion of the Act

in the 9th schedule of the Constitution of India. Among them, 3 cases were referred to a Bench of 9 Judges of the Supreme Court of India in order to decide the validity of the inclusion of the Act in the 9th Schedule. As per the judgement dated 11.01.2007 of the

Bench, the cases were referred to a Bench of 3 Judges and the Judgement has been delivered by the Bench on 9.9.2010, confirming the inclusion of the Act in the 9th Schedule and dismissing the petitions.

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The appeals preferred against the orders of the Settlement Officer, Gudalur Janmam Lands, resuming the lease lands to the Government are pending

before the District Court/Janmam Abolition Tribunal, Ooty and High Court. 260 cases were filed before the District

Court/Janmam Abolition Tribunal, Udhagamandalam by the small estate holders against the orders of the Settlement Officer (Gudalur Janmam Lands) rejecting 313 petitions among 500 petitions preferred by them to claim rights under Section 8 & 9. Out of which, 6 cases were dismissed in favour of the Government. Appeals preferred before the Honble High Court of Madras against the orders of the District Court/ Janmam Abolition Tribunal, an Interim stay has been granted. Enquiry is being conducted by the

Settlement Officer in the remaining 187 petitions. Out of the total 80,087.74 acres of Gudalur Janmam Lands, settlement work in respect of 28,087.03 acres of lands had already been completed and pattas issued. In the remaining 52,000.71 acres

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of land, an extent of 17,014.43 acres was declared as forest land under Section 53 of the Tamil Nadu Act, 24/69 by the Settlement Officer, Gudalur on

28.07.2011. In the 6 Writ Petitions filed against the Notification before the Honble High Court of Madras, it is ordered to maintain status-quo. Government in G.O. (Ms) No.363, Revenue [SS-I(1)] Department, dated 28.11.2011 have ordered an extent of

11,204.47 acres of land to be handed over to Forest Department, excluding the lands of 5,809.96 acres covered in the writ petitions. The settlement work is in progress in respect of the remaining lands. The

proposal sent through the Commissioner of Land Administration for the issue of amendment to

Section 17 of the Tamil Nadu Act, 24/69. is under consideration of the Government.

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5.13

The Tamil Nadu Levy Assessment In Freehold Lands Act, 1973 (Tamil Nadu Act 31/1973)

Under this Act, an extent of 100.69.Sq.Km was taken over by the Government in all the 122 estates and after the completion of Settlement, Land Tax was levied.

5.14 The Tamil Nadu (Transferred Territory) Ryotwari Settlement Act, 1964 (Tamil Nadu Act 30/1964) This Act provides for survey of every land in the Transferred Territory of Kanniyakumari District and the Shencottah Taluk of Tirunelveli District, except Inam Lands, Sreepandaravaka Lands and

Sreepadam Lands to effect a Ryotwari Settlement. This item of work has been completed. 5.15 Natham Settlement Scheme In G.O.(Ms)No.1177, Commercial Taxes and Religious Endowments Department, dated

30.10.1987, it has been ordered by the Government, to commence work on Natham Survey in Natham

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Lands and the Agricultural lands used for nonagricultural purposes. On completion of the survey work in Natham lands, the Notification was published in the Tamil Nadu Gazette on 9.11.1988 to commence the settlement work as ordered in G.O. (Ms) No. 1971, Revenue Department, dated 14.10.1988. As

per the above orders, this work has been completed in 204 Taluks out of 220 Taluks of the State. At present the work is in progress in all the Taluks in the districts of the Nilgiris and and and

Kanniyakumari, Alandur Taluks

Tambaram, of

Sholinganallur District

Kancheepuram

Ambattur and Madhavaram Taluks of Distirct, totaling 11 Taluks.

Tiruvallur

35,771 Natham manai

pattas have so far been issued. The work has to be commenced in 5 Taluks of the Chennai District. Settlement work in Natham private lands has been introduced and completed in Srirangam Taluk of Tiruchirapalli Distirct. 1,300 Natham manai pattas have been prepared and kept ready for distributrion.

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5.16 Wakf Board As per Section 4 of the Wakf Act, 1995, Survey of wakf properties has been commenced throughout the state and correction work on the reports received from the District Revenue Officers(Additional Wakf

Commissioner) is being carried out. 5.17 Revenue Follow Up Work in Hill Villages In G.O. (Ms) No.113, Revenue Department, dated 02.02.1995, it has been ordered by the Government to commence the Revenue follow up work in 67 hill villages in the State. The work has been completed in 60 hill villages and is in progress in 7 villages. 2,312 pattas have been issued in the hill village of Patchamalai in Gengavalli Taluk of Salem District. 5.18 Revenue Follow-Up Work in Corporations and Municipal Towns In order to update the Registries in Revenue Records, as on date, to issue pattas to land holders, to prepare and hand over the records for use in Revenue Administration in all the Corporations

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(except old Chennai city) and Municipalities of the State, Revenue follow up work has been introduced. Out of the 150 Municipalities of the State, the work has been completed in 5 Municipalities and the work is in progress in 16 Municipalities. Further , out of 10 Corporations, the work is in progress in 3 Corporations. The work will be extended to the

remaining 129 Municipalities and 7 Corporations. Under this scheme, 74,544 pattas have been issued. One unit has been commenced to complete the updating registry in Pandaravadai in Papanasam Taluk of Thanjavur District and the work is in progress.

Conclusion The Revenue Department that has been at the centre of administration continues to provide a highly responsive and efficient administration, delivery of need-based services and schemes of relevance to daily life, better implementation for the benefits to reach the beneficiaries, creating necessary

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infrastructure with a better space for public interaction, improved work environment, provision of latest equipment and training to enable quicker response, protecting the rights of the community, delivering the rights to a most valued resource - the land, and above all providing succour and assistance in the event of natural calamities.
K.A. SENGOTTAIYAN,

Minister for Revenue