Letter No. 28232/L.R.I(2)/2018-4 on Industrial and Commercial Land Ceilings
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Reforms Wing, through the Additional Chief Secretary to Government, issued Letter No. 28232/L.R.I(2)/2018-4 dated 12 January 2021 on the increased land ceiling for industrial or commercial undertakings under the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961. It allows qualifying undertakings to hold 30 standard acres of dry land through self-declaration, subject to investment, use and enforcement conditions, and concludes that no further rule amendment is necessary at that stage.
Purpose and legal context
Letter No. 28232/L.R.I(2)/2018-4 dated 12 January 2021 records that amendments to sections 3 and 5 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 increased the ceiling for an industrial or commercial undertaking from 15 standard acres to 30 standard acres. After consulting the Industries Department, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Land Reforms Wing, concluded that no further rule amendment was necessary at that stage.
The Additional Chief Secretary to Government asked the Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Land Reforms to issue these instructions immediately to all District Collectors and authorised officers.
Who is affected
Letter No. 28232/L.R.I(2)/2018-4 applies to industrial or commercial undertakings seeking to hold 30 standard acres. It also guides District Collectors, authorised officers and enforcement authorities responsible for receiving information and checking compliance.
The guidance is particularly relevant to a company acquiring land progressively because it identifies when the three-year compliance period begins.
Conditions for holding 30 standard acres
An industrial or commercial undertaking may hold 30 standard acres subject to these conditions:
- The land must be classified as dry land.
- The undertaking must invest at least 20 crore rupees.
- The land must be used for an industrial or commercial purpose within three years from acquisition of the 30 standard acres.
- For progressive acquisition, the three-year period starts when the undertaking acquires the threshold of 30 standard acres.
- The undertaking must report the land details to the District Collector.
- The report is a self-declaration for information only. No separate approval is required to hold the land.
Verification and non-compliance
Letter No. 28232/L.R.I(2)/2018-4 does not remove enforcement checks. Enforcement authorities may verify the details and compliance with the conditions at any time.
A company must provide supporting documents when authorities request them for scrutiny. If a declaration is false, or the conditions are not met, the enforcement authorities or District Collector may proceed under the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961.
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Common questions
Does an industrial company need separate approval to hold 30 standard acres?
No. The company must send a self-declaration with land details to the District Collector, but the declaration is for information only and no separate approval is required.
What type of land qualifies for the 30 standard acre ceiling?
The land must be classified as dry land. The undertaking must also meet the investment and industrial or commercial use conditions.
How long does the undertaking have to invest and use the land?
The undertaking has three years from acquisition of the 30 standard acres to make the required investment and use the land for an industrial or commercial purpose.
Can the District Collector check the self-declaration later?
Yes. Enforcement authorities may verify the information and compliance at any time, and the company must provide documents when requested.
