Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980
The Tamil Nadu Legislature enacted the Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980, Tamil Nadu Act No. 36 of 1980, which received assent on 1 November 1980 and abolishes the Board of Revenue in Tamil Nadu. It transfers the Board's powers, duties and pending proceedings to the Tamil Nadu Government or notified authorities, and repeals three earlier laws governing the Board and Revenue Commissioner.
What the Act does
The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980 abolishes the Board of Revenue in Tamil Nadu. Although it received assent on 1 November 1980 and was first published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary on 5 November 1980, the Act states that it comes into force on a date appointed by the Government through notification.
The Act repeals:
- The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Regulation, 1803.
- The Tamil Nadu Revenue Commissioner Act, 1849.
- The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Act, 1894.
Transfer of powers and proceedings
The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980 transfers the former Board's jurisdiction, powers and duties to an authority specified by the Government through notification. The receiving authority may be:
- The Tamil Nadu Government.
- A Commissioner appointed under the Act.
- An officer not below the rank of Additional Secretary to Government.
- Another officer not below the rank of District Collector.
The Government may modify or cancel an authorisation. References in other laws to the Board of Revenue or a Board member generally become references to the Government or the appropriate notified authority.
Applications, appeals, revisions and other proceedings pending before the Board or one of its members on the commencement date transfer to the Government or notified appropriate authority. Earlier orders, decisions, actions and proceedings are treated as having been made or taken by the successor authority.
Continuing administrative framework
The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980 renames the Standing Orders of the Board of Revenue as the Revenue Standing Orders. They remain in force until altered, amended or cancelled by the Commissioner or the Government.
The Government may appoint one or more Commissioners and may regulate the service conditions of people employed by the Board immediately before commencement, subject to Article 311 of the Constitution. Rules made under the Act must be published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette and placed before both Houses of the Legislature.
Relevance to property and revenue matters
The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980 does not set out rules for transferring ownership of land. Its practical importance is administrative. A buyer, owner or professional dealing with an older revenue order, appeal, proceeding or reference to the Board of Revenue may need to identify the Government authority designated to exercise that function.
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Common questions
Does the Board of Revenue still handle Tamil Nadu land matters?
No. The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980 abolishes the Board and transfers its powers and duties to the Tamil Nadu Government or an authority specified by notification.
What happened to an appeal pending before the Board of Revenue?
A pending application, appeal, revision or other proceeding transfers to the Tamil Nadu Government or the appropriate authority named in the relevant notification.
Are the old Board of Revenue Standing Orders still valid?
They continue as the Revenue Standing Orders until they are altered, amended or cancelled by the Commissioner or the Tamil Nadu Government.
Does this Act itself change ownership of my land?
The Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Abolition Act, 1980 does not set out land ownership transfer rules. It abolishes the Board of Revenue and reallocates its administrative powers, duties and proceedings.
