The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961, Act 58 of 1961, is a primary law of the State of Tamil Nadu that fixes ceilings on agricultural land holdings and provides for identifying, acquiring and disposing of surplus land. It received the President's assent on 13 April 196...
What the Act governs
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961, Act 58 of 1961, addresses disparity and concentration in the ownership of agricultural land in Tamil Nadu. It establishes a ceiling system, procedures for determining excess holdings, acquisition of surplus land by the Government and disposal of acquired land.
The Act states that it overrides inconsistent laws and contracts. Its arrangement also identifies exclusions for land held by certain religious institutions or religious trusts of a public nature.
Who may be affected
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 may affect:
- Owners, limited owners, tenants and cultivating tenants of agricultural land.
- Persons holding land through leases or possessory mortgages.
- Purchasers, heirs and others acquiring agricultural land.
- Public trusts, plantations, commercial undertakings and sugar factories.
- Mortgagees, charge holders and maintenance holders claiming an interest in surplus land.
A property buyer dealing with agricultural land may need to check whether the holding was included in a draft or final ceiling statement, declared surplus, vested in the Government or affected by restrictions on transfers and future acquisitions.
Key provisions
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 provides for:
- Fixing a ceiling area and requiring a return from a person holding land exceeding 15 standard acres.
- Collection of information and preparation and publication of draft and final statements concerning land above the ceiling area.
- Decisions on questions of title by an authorised officer in specified cases.
- Notification, vesting and acquisition of surplus land by the Government.
- Restrictions and penalties concerning certain transfers, partitions and future acquisitions.
- A separate ceiling framework for cultivating tenants, including taking and distributing possession of excess land.
- Determination and payment of amounts for land acquired by the Government, including specified claims by mortgagees, limited owners and tenants.
- Constitution and functions of the Land Board and Land Tribunals.
- Appeals to the Land Tribunal and the High Court, and revision by the Land Commissioner and the High Court.
- Disposal of land acquired by the Government and preparation of records of rights.
- A bar on civil court jurisdiction for matters covered by the Act.
The supplied copy is provided by PRS Legislative Research for information only. Its disclaimer recommends checking the latest government publication or gazette notification and obtaining professional and legal advice before acting.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can agricultural land above the ceiling be taken by the Government?
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 provides for identifying surplus land, its vesting or acquisition by the Government, and its later disposal.
Does the Act affect a purchase or partition of agricultural land?
Yes. The Act contains provisions concerning transfers or partitions made after commencement, transfers before publication of a surplus land notification, and restrictions on future acquisitions.
Is there an appeal against a ceiling decision?
The Act provides for appeals to the Land Tribunal and the High Court, as well as revision by the Land Commissioner and the High Court.
Can I rely on this supplied copy for a property transaction?
The PRS Legislative Research disclaimer says the contents have not been independently verified. It recommends consulting the relevant state department or latest government publication or gazette notification, and taking professional and legal advice.
