The Tamil Nadu Inams (Assessment) Act, 1956 (1957)
The Tamil Nadu Inams (Assessment) Act, 1956, Tamil Nadu Act No. XL of 1956, is primary law of the State of Tamil Nadu that permits the State Government to levy full assessment on specified inam lands. The supplied record lists an effective date of 1 January 1957, while the Act states that it is deemed to have come into force on 1 July 1956. The text includes amendments made by the Tamil Nadu Inams (Assessment) Amendment Act, 1961 and the Tamil Nadu Inams (Assessment) Amendment Act, 1968, and is not stated to have been superseded.
What the Act governs
The Tamil Nadu Inams (Assessment) Act, 1956 governs the assessment of certain inam lands in Tamil Nadu. It allows the State Government to levy full assessment despite an existing engagement, contract, grant or other law.
An inam includes an inam land and an assignment of land revenue from that land. An inam land generally means land whose grant as an inam was made, confirmed or recognised by the Government.
Land covered and excluded
The Tamil Nadu Inams (Assessment) Act, 1956 excludes several categories from its definition of inam land, including:
- Estates covered by the Tamil Nadu Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948.
- Ryoti land held by someone other than the landholder.
- Certain land granted by a landholder on service tenure while that tenure continues.
- Beds and bunds of tanks, and supply, drainage, surplus or irrigation channels.
- Threshing floors, cattle stands, village sites and other land reserved for common village use.
- Waste lands and forests.
How assessment is fixed
For inam land in a ryotwari village, assessment is based on the settlement rate for comparable land with similar advantages in that village, or in the nearest suitable ryotwari village. For other inam land, the comparison is with similar land in the nearest ryotwari village having generally similar conditions.
Before fixing assessment, the Collector must publish a draft notification in the District Gazette and by any other prescribed method. The notification must identify the land, state the proposed rates and allow at least one month for objections. The Collector may confirm or modify the assessment after considering objections and making any inquiry considered necessary.
Rights and practical effect
An inamdar or another interested person who is aggrieved by the Collector's decision may appeal to the District Collector within the prescribed period. The appellant must be given an opportunity to be heard. The final land details and rates must be published in the District Gazette.
The State Government may revise assessment rates when the corresponding settlement rates are revised. For service inams, the Act also preserves the State Government's power to resume the inam if the required charity or service is not performed or arranged.
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
How can I find out whether an inam property has been assessed under this Act?
The final list of inam lands and the applicable assessment rates must be published in the District Gazette and by any other prescribed method.
Can an owner object before assessment is fixed?
Yes. The Collector must publish a draft notification and allow at least one month for objections from the inamdar or another interested person.
Is there an appeal against the Collector's assessment decision?
Yes. An aggrieved person may appeal to the District Collector within the prescribed period and must be given an opportunity to be heard.
Does paying assessment prevent the Government from resuming a service inam?
No. The Tamil Nadu Inams (Assessment) Act, 1956 preserves the State Government's power to resume a service inam when the required charity or service is not performed or properly arranged.
