The Tamil Nadu (Transferred Territory) Re-enacting Act, 1957
The Tamil Nadu (Transferred Territory) Re-enacting Act, 1957, Act 18 of 1957, was enacted by the State Legislature and received the Governor's assent on 6 December 1957. It permanently re-enacts specified President's Acts for Kanyakumari district and the Shencottah taluk of Tirunelveli district, while its wording was later amended through Tamil Nadu adaptation orders made in 1969.
What the Act does
The Tamil Nadu (Transferred Territory) Re-enacting Act, 1957 preserves selected laws made by the President for the former Travancore-Cochin area. Those laws would otherwise have ceased to operate after the relevant constitutional Proclamation ended, except for earlier acts and omissions.
The Act was first published in the Fort St. George Gazette on 9 December 1957. It also repeals the Madras (Transferred Territory) Re-enacting Ordinance, 1957.
Area covered
The Tamil Nadu (Transferred Territory) Re-enacting Act, 1957 defines the transferred territory as:
- Kanyakumari district.
- Shencottah taluk of Tirunelveli district.
Its permanent re-enactment applies only to the listed President's Acts in their application to this transferred territory.
Laws permanently re-enacted
The Schedule permanently re-enacts the following President's Acts:
- The Travancore-Cochin State Aid to Industries (Amendment) Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Agricultural Pests and Diseases (Amendment) Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Agriculturists Indebted Relief Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Land Conservancy (Amendment) Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Police (Amendment) Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Irrigation Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Interpretation and General Clauses (Amendment) Act, 1956.
- The Municipal (Amendment) Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Compensation for Tenants Improvements Act, 1956.
- The Travancore-Cochin Lime-shells (Control) Act, 1956.
Effect on land and property interests
The Tamil Nadu (Transferred Territory) Re-enacting Act, 1957 does not itself set out a land sale process or transfer ownership. Its importance for owners, buyers and professionals is that it keeps the scheduled laws permanently in force within the transferred territory. Several listed laws concern land conservancy, irrigation, agricultural debt, municipalities and compensation for tenant improvements.
The permanent re-enactment does not cancel amendments or adaptations made on or after 1 November 1956 and before the commencement of the Act. This protection applies both to the re-enacted President's Acts and to enactments amended by them.
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 Act apply throughout Tamil Nadu?
No. It applies to the transferred territory, defined as Kanyakumari district and the Shencottah taluk of Tirunelveli district.
Does the Act itself transfer or confirm ownership of land?
No land transfer or ownership confirmation process is stated. The Act permanently re-enacts the President's Acts listed in its Schedule for the transferred territory.
Which re-enacted laws may be relevant to property matters?
The Schedule includes laws concerning land conservancy, irrigation, municipalities, agricultural debt and compensation for tenant improvements.
Were earlier amendments to the listed laws cancelled?
No. The Act states that permanent re-enactment does not affect amendments or adaptations made on or after 1 November 1956 and before its commencement.
