Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
Circular Roc.No.16091/2016/MP1, Change of Land Use from Agriculture to Non-Agriculture
The Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning issued Circular Roc.No.16091/2016/MP1 on 11 May 2017 to communicate G.O. (Ms.) No.79 of the Housing and Urban Development (UD4(3)) Department, dated 4 May 2017. It directs field officers to follow the new rules for changing land use from agriculture to non-agriculture in non-planned areas, including the application route, land-specific reports or concurrence, and charges collected by the local body.
What the circular covers
Circular Roc.No.16091/2016/MP1 of the Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning applies to applications for changing land use from agriculture to non-agriculture in non-planned areas. It communicates the notification issued through G.O. (Ms.) No.79 of the Housing and Urban Development (UD4(3)) Department, dated 4 May 2017.
The circular is relevant to landowners or applicants seeking such a land use change, local bodies receiving applications, and Town and Country Planning field officers processing them.
Application and review process
The Office of the Commissioner of Town and Country Planning identifies the following requirements:
- Applications must be submitted through the local body concerned to the Director.
- For wetlands, the Director must obtain the prior concurrence of the District Collector.
- For dry lands, the Director must obtain a report from the Joint Director of the Agriculture Department.
- Field officers must process applications according to the applicable power delegation orders issued by the Directorate of Town and Country Planning through the earlier circulars listed in the document.
- Where a power delegation order requires the Director's prior concurrence, the matter must be forwarded to the head office for orders.
Charges collected by the local body
The local body concerned must collect a scrutiny fee of Rs.1000 per application. When the local body issues final approval, it must also collect 3% of the market value of the land.
The circular does not explain how the market value is to be determined. It only identifies the percentage to be collected at the final approval stage.
Effect on property owners and applicants
A person seeking to convert agricultural land to a non-agricultural purpose in a non-planned area must use the local body as the application channel. The review steps differ depending on whether the property is wetland or dry land.
Applicants should expect the local body to collect the scrutiny fee when handling the application and the market-value-based amount when final approval is issued. The circular instructs all field offices, Assistant Directors, Planning Assistants and head office surveyors to follow these requirements.
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
Where should I submit an application to change agricultural land use in a non-planned area?
The application must be submitted through the local body concerned to the Director.
What approval is required if the property is wetland?
For wetlands, the Director must obtain the prior concurrence of the District Collector.
What report is required for dry land?
For dry lands, the Director must obtain a report from the Joint Director of the Agriculture Department.
What amounts will the local body collect?
The local body must collect a scrutiny fee of Rs.1000 per application. When final approval is issued, it must collect 3% of the market value of the land.
