Procedures to be followed if person held lands as on 6.4.1960 / 15.2.1970
Official Tamil Nadu Land Reforms guidance explains how surplus land is calculated and declared for a person who held land on 6 April 1960 or 15 February 1970. It covers returns, exemptions and exclusions, draft and final statements, objections, appeals, revisions and publication of the surplus land notification. The supplied text does not identify an order number or issue date.
What the guidance covers
The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms guidance applies to the process for determining surplus from holdings connected with 6 April 1960 or 15 February 1970. It is relevant to landowners whose holdings may be examined under the land ceiling process, as well as buyers and professionals reviewing whether land has been declared surplus.
How surplus is calculated
The landowner must file Form II under Section 8, giving particulars of the landholdings. If the return is not filed, the Authorised Officer gathers information from field staff, gives that information to the landowner and provides an opportunity to respond before passing an order under Section 9(2)(b).
Before declaring surplus, the Authorised Officer must consider applicable exclusions, exemptions and ceiling area. The model calculation identifies:
- Total holdings according to revenue accounts or registered instruments.
- Exclusions under Section 3(22).
- Exemptions for plantations, topes, orchards and fuel trees.
- Extent permitted by the Land Board under Section 31.
- The applicable ceiling area.
The model starts with 200.000 standard acres and, after the listed deductions and a ceiling area of 60.000 standard acres, shows 87.000 standard acres as surplus. This is presented as an illustrative calculation.
Declaration and publication stages
The surplus declaration process includes:
- An initial order showing the quantum of surplus, with an appeal to the Land Tribunal, identified as the District Revenue Officer, within 30 days.
- A draft statement under Section 10(1), issued in Form 6 and published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. Copies are also affixed at the offices of the Authorised Officer, Taluk office, Block Development Officer, Revenue Divisional Officer and Village Chavadi.
- Objections to the draft statement before the Authorised Officer under Section 10(5), within 30 days. A further appeal lies to the Land Tribunal within 30 days.
- A final statement under Section 12, published in Form 9 in the same manner as the draft statement. Revision lies to the Land Commissioner within 60 days.
- A notification under Section 18(1), published in Form 12 after Government approval through the Commissioner of Land Reforms. It must also be published in every village or town where the land is situated.
Pending disputes and corrections
Section 13 requires exclusion of land where a title question is pending before a court or Land Tribunal, or where a Section 31 permission request is pending before the Land Board. After final disposal, the Authorised Officer must amend or prepare the final statement under Section 14.
Section 15 may be used to correct bona fide, clerical or arithmetical mistakes in the final statement. It cannot be used to reconsider the merits of the decision.
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
What happens if a landowner does not file the required return?
The Authorised Officer gathers information from field staff, gives the information to the landowner and provides an opportunity to respond before passing an order under Section 9(2)(b).
Can a landowner object to the draft surplus statement?
Yes. Objections may be filed before the Authorised Officer under Section 10(5) within 30 days. An appeal to the Land Tribunal is also available within 30 days after the Authorised Officer determines the surplus.
Is land with a pending title dispute counted immediately?
No. The Authorised Officer must exclude land where a title question is pending before a court, Land Tribunal or other listed forum. The final statement must be prepared or amended after the dispute is finally decided.
Where will a surplus land notification be published?
The Section 18(1) notification is published in Form 12 after Government approval through the Commissioner of Land Reforms. It must also be published in every village or town where the land is situated.
