Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
Revenue Department Manual under Right to Information Act, 2005
The Department of Revenue, Government of Tamil Nadu issued the Revenue Department Manual under Right to Information Act, 2005 to explain its organisational structure, functions, records, programmes and information access arrangements. It tells members of the public, including landowners and property buyers seeking departmental records, how to submit an information request, what fees apply and which officers handle requests and appeals.
What the manual covers
The Revenue Department Manual under Right to Information Act, 2005 was published by the Department of Revenue, Government of Tamil Nadu under the Right to Information Act, 2005, which came into force on 15 June 2005. Its purpose is to help the public understand the department's organisation, officer duties, available records, schemes, projects and programmes.
For property buyers, owners and professionals, the manual is relevant when information or records held by the Department of Revenue are needed. It is an information access guide and does not describe any change to land ownership, land classification or property rights.
How to request information
A request may be submitted in writing or electronically, either in person or by post, to the Public Information Officer. The manual identifies an Under Secretary to Government as the departmental contact at Revenue, Secretariat, Chennai 9, and gives office telephone number 25665354. It also contains separate directories of Public Information Officers assigned to different departmental subjects and appellate authorities.
The source uses two spellings for the named departmental contact. Paragraph 1.4 identifies Thiru Md. Shoukath Badsha, while paragraph 1.5 identifies Md. Shoukath Basha.
Fees and payment
The Revenue Department Manual sets out these charges:
- The application fee is Rs.10, payable by cash, demand draft, banker's cheque or court fee stamp.
- Payment may also be made through the Treasury, Pay and Accounts Office, State Bank of India or Reserve Bank of India under the account head printed in the manual, with the challan produced as proof.
- Copies on A4 or A3 paper cost Rs.2 per page.
- Larger paper, samples and models are charged at their actual cost or price.
- Record inspection is free for the first hour, followed by Rs.5 for every fifteen minutes or part of fifteen minutes.
- Information supplied on diskette or floppy costs Rs.50 for each diskette or floppy.
- Printed publications are supplied at the price fixed for the publication.
Fee exemption and appeals
People below the poverty line are exempt from the listed fees. Eligibility is based on the list approved by the Gram Panchayat and local bodies.
The Revenue Department Manual also provides a directory of appellate authorities, including Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary and Deputy Secretary level officers, with available telephone and email details. The listed email address is [email protected].
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
Can I use this manual to obtain a land record held by the Revenue Department?
The manual explains how to request information and records under the Right to Information Act, 2005 from the Department of Revenue, Government of Tamil Nadu. It does not identify every individual land record available.
How much does a Revenue Department information request cost?
The application fee is Rs.10. A4 or A3 copies cost Rs.2 per page, while inspection is free for the first hour and costs Rs.5 for each fifteen minutes or part of fifteen minutes after that.
Are people below the poverty line exempt from the fees?
Yes. The exemption is based on the list of people below the poverty line approved by the Gram Panchayat and local bodies.
Does the manual provide an appeal contact?
Yes. It lists appellate authorities from the Department of Revenue, Government of Tamil Nadu, together with available office telephone numbers, residence telephone numbers and an email address.
