Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970
The Legislature of the State of Tamil Nadu enacted the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970, Tamil Nadu Act Number 17 of 1970, to modify the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 and reduce the ceiling on agricultural land from 30 standard acres to 15 standard acres. The Act is deemed to have come into force on 15 February 1970, received the President's assent on 20 June 1970, and was first published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary on 23 June 1970.
What the Act does
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970 changes the ceiling framework under the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961. Its stated purpose is to reduce inequality and concentration in the ownership of agricultural land in Tamil Nadu.
The Legislature recorded that the earlier ceiling was 30 standard acres for every person and for every family consisting of not more than five members. It considered that disparity and concentration of agricultural land continued even after implementation of the 1961 Act.
Who may be affected
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970 may affect a person who held agricultural land above the revised ceiling on 15 February 1970. It also concerns families and persons whose holdings were governed by the ceiling provisions of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961.
For a property buyer, owner or professional reviewing agricultural land, the historical extent held on 15 February 1970 may therefore be relevant when examining land ceiling records and earlier proceedings.
Key provisions
- The ceiling area is reduced from 30 standard acres to 15 standard acres.
- The reduction is made by modifying the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961.
- The Act is deemed to have come into force on 15 February 1970.
- A person holding land above the ceiling on 15 February 1970 becomes subject, after that date, to the 1961 Act as modified by the 1970 Act.
- The revised provisions apply whether or not that person was already a party to an earlier proceeding.
- Subject to the provision applying the revised ceiling to excess holders, an order, notification, action, proceeding, liability or punishment under the earlier provisions before publication may continue as if the 1970 Act had not been passed.
Using this text
The supplied copy was furnished by PRS Legislative Research for information and was not independently verified. PRS Legislative Research advises readers to consult the relevant state department, the latest government publication or the gazette notification, and to obtain professional and legal advice before acting.
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Common questions
What agricultural land ceiling does the Act set?
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970 reduces the ceiling from 30 standard acres to 15 standard acres.
From what date does the reduced ceiling apply?
The Act states that it is deemed to have come into force on 15 February 1970.
Does the reduced ceiling apply if the landholder was not already part of a proceeding?
Yes. The modified provisions apply to a person who held land above the revised ceiling on 15 February 1970, whether or not that person was a party to an earlier proceeding.
Were earlier land ceiling proceedings automatically cancelled?
No. Subject to the provision applying the revised ceiling to excess holders, earlier orders, notifications, actions, proceedings, liabilities and punishments could continue as if the 1970 Act had not been passed.
