Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Law Department published the Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969, Tamil Nadu Act 24 of 1969, which received presidential assent on 6th December 1969 and was first published on 17th December 1969. The Act, modified up to 30th June 1985, transfers janmam estates in Gudalur Taluk of the Nilgiris district to the Government and introduces ryotwari settlement.
Purpose and coverage
The Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969 applies to all janmam estates in Gudalur Taluk of the Nilgiris district. It came into force there on 27th November 1974.
The law acquires the rights of janmis, transfers janmam estates to the Government and provides for ryotwari settlement. A janmi is defined as a person entitled to absolute proprietorship of land, including a trustee holding that position.
What changes for the land
From the appointed day:
- Every janmam estate transfers to and vests in the Government free of encumbrances.
- The transfer includes communal lands, porambokes, estate lands, pasture lands, forests, mines, minerals, quarries, rivers, streams, tanks, irrigation works, fisheries and ferries within the estate boundaries.
- Laws applicable specifically to janmam estates cease to apply there, while enactments applicable to ryotwari land apply.
- Rights and interests created by a janmi over the estate cease against the Government.
- The relationship between the janmi and tenant is extinguished.
- Affected persons retain only the rights and privileges recognised or granted under the Act.
Ryotwari pattas and possession
The Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969 provides procedures for deciding which lands qualify for ryotwari pattas. It covers claims by janmis and other persons, pattas based on personal cultivation in certain cases, and categories of land for which no patta will be granted.
The Government may take possession of a janmam estate and relevant records. However, it must not dispossess a person whom it considers prima facie entitled to a ryotwari patta until the appropriate authority decides that entitlement.
People and processes affected
The law may affect:
- Janmis, tenants and people claiming ryotwari pattas.
- Plantation lessees and certain other lessees.
- Owners or occupiers of buildings and land used for non-agricultural purposes.
- Transferors and transferees of affected interests.
- Creditors, maintenance holders and people claiming a share of compensation.
The law also provides for survey and settlement operations, land revenue, compensation, contributions payable by pattadars, tribunals, appeals and restrictions on court jurisdiction in certain cases.
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 law apply throughout Tamil Nadu?
No. The Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969 extends to Gudalur Taluk in the Nilgiris district and applies to all janmam estates there.
Did janmam estate land automatically become Government land?
From the appointed day, every janmam estate and the listed lands and resources within its boundaries transferred to and vested in the Government free of encumbrances.
Can the Government remove someone who appears eligible for a ryotwari patta?
The Government must not dispossess a person from land for which it considers that person prima facie entitled to a ryotwari patta until the appropriate authority decides the claim.
Does every occupier receive a ryotwari patta under this law?
No. The Act provides for authorities to determine entitlement and also identifies categories of land for which no ryotwari patta will be granted.
