Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Andhra Pradesh and Madras (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1959
The Parliament of India enacted The Andhra Pradesh and Madras (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1959, Act No. 56 of 1959, on 24th December, 1959, to transfer specified territories between Andhra Pradesh and Madras and deal with the resulting administrative, legislative, judicial and financial changes. The Act came into force on 1st April, 1960, following a Central Government notification.
What the Act governs
The Andhra Pradesh and Madras (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1959 changes the boundaries of Andhra Pradesh and Madras. From the appointed day, territories listed in the First Schedule became part of Andhra Pradesh and ceased to be part of Madras, while territories listed in the Second Schedule became part of Madras and ceased to be part of Andhra Pradesh.
For landowners and buyers, the main relevance is whether land falls within one of the scheduled transferred territories. The transfer could change the State, district, taluk or firka in which the land was administered.
Territorial and administrative changes
The Andhra Pradesh and Madras (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1959 provides that:
- Certain transferred territories became part of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh.
- Sathyavedu taluk was formed in Chittoor district from specified territories.
- Other territories were included in Puttur taluk, Chittoor firka and Kuppam West firka.
- Specified territories transferred to Madras formed Tiruttani taluk in Chingleput district.
- Kanakammachatram firka was created within Tiruttani taluk.
- Other transferred territories were assigned to named firkas and taluks in Chingleput and North Arcot districts.
- The Andhra Pradesh and Madras State Governments retained power to alter the name, extent or boundaries of districts, taluks, firkas and villages after the appointed day.
References to a district, taluk, firka, village or other territorial division are based on the area within that division on 1st July, 1957.
Other consequences
The Andhra Pradesh and Madras (Alteration of Boundaries) Act, 1959 also addresses consequences of the territorial transfer, including:
- Changes to parliamentary and State legislative representation and constituency boundaries.
- Jurisdiction of the Andhra Pradesh High Court and Madras High Court, including transfer of proceedings.
- Distribution of revenues and appropriation of expenditure in transferred territories.
- Allocation of land, goods, taxes, loans, deposits, pensions, contracts and other assets or liabilities.
- Electricity boards, financial corporations, road transport permits, public services and officers.
- Territorial application and adaptation of laws, legal proceedings and pending cases.
The schedules identify the affected territories and contain related constituency modifications. A property assessment therefore requires checking whether the relevant village or area appears in the applicable schedule.
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
Did the Act transfer land between Andhra Pradesh and Madras?
Yes. Territories in the First Schedule were transferred from Madras to Andhra Pradesh, while territories in the Second Schedule were transferred from Andhra Pradesh to Madras.
When did the boundary changes take effect?
The Act came into force on 1st April, 1960, following Central Government Notification No. S.O. 2863 dated 29th December, 1959.
How can I tell whether my property was in a transferred territory?
Check the property’s village or other territorial description against the First and Second Schedules. Territorial divisions under the Act are read according to their boundaries on 1st July, 1957.
Could district, taluk, firka or village boundaries be changed later?
Yes. The Act preserved the power of the Andhra Pradesh and Madras State Governments to alter the name, extent or boundaries of districts, taluks, firkas and villages after the appointed day.
