The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999
Parliament enacted the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999, Act No. 15 of 1999, dated 18 March 1999, to repeal the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, while preserving specified government possession, exemptions and payments. It initially applied to Haryana, Punjab and all Union territories, and applies to another State only from the date on which that State adopts it by the required resolution, but the supplied text does not state whether or when Tamil Nadu adopted it.
What the law does
The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999, enacted by Parliament as Act No. 15 of 1999 and dated 18 March 1999, repeals the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976. It also repeals the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Ordinance, 1999, while treating actions taken under that Ordinance as actions under the corresponding provisions of the Act.
The repeal applied initially to Haryana, Punjab and all Union territories from 11 January 1999. For another State, it applies only when that State adopts it by a resolution under clause (2) of article 252 of the Constitution, and takes effect there on the adoption date. The supplied text does not confirm adoption by Tamil Nadu.
Who may be affected
The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999 may affect owners, buyers and others dealing with land that was subject to proceedings, vesting, possession, exemption or government payments under the repealed 1976 law. Whether the repeal changes the position of a particular property depends especially on whether the Government had taken possession before commencement in the relevant State or Union territory.
Key provisions
- Vacant land vested under the 1976 law remains unaffected by repeal where possession was taken by the State Government, an authorised person or the competent authority.
- An exemption granted under sub-section (1) of section 20 remains valid, along with action taken under it, despite any court judgment to the contrary.
- Payments made to a State Government as a condition of granting such an exemption remain unaffected.
- Where land was deemed vested but government possession was not taken, restoration is possible under the repeal framework. If the State Government paid an amount for that land, restoration requires repayment of that amount to the Government.
- Proceedings concerning orders under the 1976 law that were pending before a court, tribunal or other authority immediately before commencement generally end.
- Pending proceedings relating to sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the 1976 law do not end where they concern land already taken into possession by the Government, an authorised person or the competent authority.
Relevance in Tamil Nadu
The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999 does not, in the supplied text, establish whether Tamil Nadu adopted the central repeal law or its date of adoption. A Tamil Nadu property assessment therefore cannot determine applicability from this document alone.
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
Does this document prove that the 1976 urban land ceiling law was repealed in Tamil Nadu?
No. The supplied text says another State must adopt the repeal by the required resolution, but it does not state whether or when Tamil Nadu adopted it.
Will land already taken into government possession be returned after repeal?
Not under the repeal provision where possession had already been taken by the State Government, an authorised person or the competent authority.
What happens if land was vested in the Government but possession was not taken?
The repeal framework allows restoration, but any amount paid by the State Government for the land must first be refunded to the Government.
Do pending court or tribunal proceedings under the 1976 law continue?
They generally end if they were pending immediately before commencement. Proceedings relating to sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 continue where they concern land already taken into possession by the Government, an authorised person or the competent authority.
