Land Reforms, Updation of MRII, MRIII and MRIV Registers
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Department, through Ref.No. F1/8312/2015 (L.Ref.), dated 27 May 2016 and issued by the Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Land Reforms, instructs all District Collectors except Chennai to ensure that the MRII, MRIII and MRIV land reform registers are updated and properly maintained. Following the disbandment of the Assistant Commissioners (Land Reforms), the letter places responsibility on District Collectorates, Sub Collectors and Revenue Divisional Officers to maintain records, pursue pending cases and report progress.
What the letter governs
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Department letter Ref.No. F1/8312/2015 (L.Ref.), dated 27 May 2016, deals with official registers and pending files relating to land ceiling, payments for surplus land and assignment of surplus land. The registers had been transferred to the relevant District Collectorates after the offices of the Assistant Commissioners (Land Reforms) were disbanded.
For land reform cases involving more than one district, the registers may remain in the existing District Collector's office. Other districts and divisions may obtain them when required and return them after use.
Register requirements
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Department gives separate instructions for three registers:
- MRII Register: Officials must enter action taken concerning land exceeding the cultivating tenant's ceiling area. The register covers taking possession of excess land and distributing possession to landless persons or persons holding land below that ceiling.
- MRIII Register: Officials must record steps concerning amounts payable to landowners whose land was declared surplus. Entries include determination of the amount, publication of draft and final assessment rolls, and payment to the landowner. Pending files with Sub Collectors or Revenue Divisional Officers must be verified and used to update the register.
- MRIV Register: The assigning authority must record particulars of surplus land and its assignment. Entries include the landowner, village, survey number, classification, extent, notices, enquiry, assignment, deed and delivery of possession to assignees.
Follow-up and reporting
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Department requires incomplete MRIV registers to be updated from pending or closed files. Sub Collectors and Revenue Divisional Officers must continue action from the last recorded stage.
Key follow-up requirements include:
- Cross-checking pending MRIV matters against cases before the Land Tribunal, Land Commissioner and High Court.
- Recording court proceedings in the register and relevant files.
- Obtaining stage-wise progress for review by the District Collector in DRA meetings.
- Sending monthly progress details to the Commissionerate.
- Pursuing cases where assigned land has not been handed over after subdivision and changes to village and taluk accounts.
District Collectors were asked to send a report confirming that the three registers had been updated by 15 June 2016.
Who may be affected
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Department instructions directly govern District Collectorates, Sub Collectors and Revenue Divisional Officers. Landowners awaiting payment, cultivating tenants connected with ceiling proceedings, and assignees awaiting possession may be affected where their cases are pending or incompletely recorded.
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 the letter apply to Chennai District?
No. Ref.No. F1/8312/2015 (L.Ref.), dated 27 May 2016, was addressed to all District Collectors except Chennai.
What should a landowner expect to be recorded in the MRIII Register?
The MRIII Register records the determination of the amount payable for land declared surplus, publication of draft and final assessment rolls, and payment to the landowner.
What happens if possession of assigned surplus land has not been handed over?
Officials must pursue the pending MRIV file, conduct necessary enquiry and inspection, complete relevant subdivision and account changes, and record the action taken in the MRIV Register.
Are pending court cases required to be recorded?
Yes. Districts must cross-check MRIV cases against pending proceedings before the Land Tribunal, Land Commissioner and High Court, and note them in the MRIV Register and relevant file.
