Bhoodan Lands Allotted for Cultivation, Government Subsidy, Loans and Relief
The Department of Land Reforms, through Reference No. L1/11/12 (BB), dated 6 March 2012, directed all District Collectors except Chennai to consider requests from Bhoodan land allottees for government subsidies, crop damage relief, soil conservation assistance and crop loans. It also clarifies that the Bhoodan Board retains title, while eligible allottees hold cultivation and enjoyment rights and may mortgage allotted land for development finance with the Board's permission.
What the guidance covers
The Department of Land Reforms issued Reference No. L1/11/12 (BB), dated 6 March 2012, after learning that authorities were not considering applications from Bhoodan land grantees or allottees for government subsidies, cooperative society loans, crop damage relief and similar assistance. The guidance was sent to all District Collectors except Chennai, with copies to the Commissioners of Agriculture and Horticulture and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
Rights over Bhoodan land
The Department of Land Reforms explains the position of land allotted under the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1958:
- Land donated to the Bhoodan Board is allotted to landless poor people willing to cultivate it, subject to conditions.
- The Bhoodan Board continues to hold title to the land.
- The allottee has the right to enjoy and cultivate the land during the allottee's lifetime.
- After an allottee dies, eligible legal heirs may obtain re-allotment in their own names.
These distinctions matter to allottees, legal heirs, banks and officials assessing applications connected with Bhoodan land.
Mortgaging land for development finance
The Department of Land Reforms states that an allottee may mortgage all or part of the allotted Bhoodan land as security for financial assistance to develop the land. Key conditions are:
- Permission must first be obtained from the Bhoodan Board.
- The mortgage may be in favour of the Government, a cooperative bank or a nationalised bank.
- The finance must be for development of the allotted land.
The permission requirement applies when the land itself is mortgaged as security.
Benefits that should be considered
The Department of Land Reforms states that Bhoodan Board permission is not required for government subsidies, government crop damage relief or crop loans. District authorities were asked to consider applications from Bhoodan land allottees for:
- Government subsidies.
- Government relief for crop damage.
- Soil conservation assistance.
- Crop loans.
The guidance says these benefits do not affect the Bhoodan Board's title. It also notes that some allottees had dug wells to cultivate their allotted land.
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
Can a Bhoodan land allottee apply for a crop loan?
Yes. The Department of Land Reforms directed that crop loan requests from Bhoodan land allottees may be considered, and stated that Bhoodan Board permission is not necessary for a crop loan.
Can an allottee mortgage Bhoodan land to obtain development finance?
Yes, with prior permission from the Bhoodan Board. The mortgage may be made in favour of the Government, a cooperative bank or a nationalised bank as security for financial assistance to develop the land.
Does the allottee become the owner of Bhoodan land?
No. The Bhoodan Board retains title, while the allottee has the right to enjoy and cultivate the land during the allottee's lifetime.
Can an allottee's legal heirs continue with the Bhoodan land?
Eligible legal heirs are entitled to seek re-allotment in their names after the allottee dies.
