G.O. (Nilai) No. 144
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department issued G.O. (Nilai) No. 144 dated 11.10.06 to transfer the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board, along with its staff posts, lands and funds, from the control of the Rural Development Department to the Land Reforms Department under the Revenue Department. The Government says this was done because Bhoodan work mainly involves land records, patta transfer, recovery of encroachments and other revenue functions, and can be handled more effectively under Land Reforms.
What this government order does
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, in G.O. (Nilai) No. 144 dated 11.10.06, shifts the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board from the control of the Rural Development Department to the Land Reforms Department under the Revenue Department.
The transfer covers three things together.
- the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board itself
- the staff posts in the Board
- the Board's lands and funds
The order also says the existing staff from the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj side will continue in the Bhoodan Board on transfer of service, until staff from the Revenue or Land Reforms side are posted.
Why the Government made this change
The document explains that Bhoodan land administration is closely tied to revenue work. It says Bhoodan lands are confirmed, published, registered in the Board's name and changed into patta through revenue processes.
The Government lists practical reasons for the transfer, including that the Revenue Department is needed for:
- confirming Bhoodan lands
- transferring patta into the Board's name
- removing encroachments and restoring land to the Board
- acting on orders relating to encroachments
- handling boundary and other land disputes
- maintaining and supplying land records and details
- carrying out land acquisition related work
Because of this, the Government states that the Land Reforms Department is the suitable department to manage Bhoodan activities.
Background given in the document
The document says the Bhoodan movement began in 1951. It refers to donated lands in Tamil Nadu being treated as Bhoodan lands, and says the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1958 and the rules of 1959 were made to regulate these lands and distribute them to the landless poor.
The document records that the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board had 28,126.15 acres, of which 20,295.83 acres had been distributed to the poor, leaving 7,830.32 acres.
It also mentions Gramdan villages, Bhoodan service cooperative societies and the Board's funds.
Who may be affected
This matters mainly to people dealing with Bhoodan lands and records in Tamil Nadu.
- buyers or holders of Bhoodan land
- people seeking patta or record changes for Bhoodan land
- people involved in encroachment or boundary issues on Bhoodan land
- officials and professionals handling Bhoodan land administration
The order names 19 posts that move with the Board, and says those staff will come under the administrative control of the Land Reforms Department instead of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
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 this order transfer Bhoodan lands to another department?
Yes. The document says the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board, its staff posts, its lands and its funds are transferred to the Land Reforms Department under the Revenue Department.
Why was the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board moved out of the Rural Development Department?
The Government says Bhoodan work depends heavily on revenue functions such as land confirmation, patta transfer, encroachment removal, dispute handling and land records. For that reason, it says the Land Reforms Department is better suited to manage the Board.
Will the existing staff continue after the transfer?
Yes. The document says the existing staff from the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj side will continue in the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board on transfer of service until Revenue or Land Reforms staff are posted.
Does the document give figures for Bhoodan land in Tamil Nadu?
Yes. It states that the Tamil Nadu Bhoodan Board had 28,126.15 acres, that 20,295.83 acres had been distributed to the poor, and that 7,830.32 acres remained.
