Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
G.O. (Ms.) No. 546, Abolition of Additional Water Cess, 2010
The Tamil Nadu Revenue Department issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 546 on 20 October 2010, abolishing the Additional Water Cess collected from farmers. The abolition applies from Fasli year 1420 (2010 to 2011) and covers the cess previously collected for irrigation from specified water sources.
What the order does
The Tamil Nadu Revenue Department issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 546 on 20 October 2010 after considering a recommendation from the Land Revenue Reforms Committee. The Government accepted the recommendation and abolished the Additional Water Cess then being collected from farmers.
The change must be implemented from Fasli year 1420 (2010 to 2011).
Background
The Land Revenue Reforms Committee was formed following an announcement in the 2009 to 2010 financial statement. Its work included proposals to simplify the land revenue assessment system, make appropriate changes to village accounts and registers, and reform the revenue settlement process known as Jamabandi.
The committee recommended stopping collection of the Additional Water Cess because the Government had already ordered a uniform collection of Rs. 5 per acre for wet land, including other taxes. It also suggested that the Government could provide suitable compensation to irrigation water user bodies and the water resources authority.
Charges abolished
Before Government Order (Ms.) No. 546 took effect, the Additional Water Cess was collected to support Water Users Associations responsible for water distribution and the Water Resources Organisation.
The order records the previous charges as follows:
- Rs. 175 per hectare for irrigation of wet crops from first and second class sources.
- Rs. 150 per hectare for irrigation of dry crops from first and second class sources.
- These Additional Water Cess collections from farmers were abolished from Fasli year 1420.
Who is affected
Government Order (Ms.) No. 546 directly affects farmers from whom the Additional Water Cess was collected for irrigated wet or dry crops. It also concerns Water Users Associations and the Water Resources Organisation because the cess had been collected for payment to those bodies.
For a landowner or buyer reviewing agricultural land records, the order confirms that the Additional Water Cess described in the document should not be collected from Fasli year 1420 onward. The document does not change ownership, registration, land classification or sale procedures.
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
Do farmers still have to pay the Additional Water Cess described in this order?
No. The Tamil Nadu Revenue Department abolished the Additional Water Cess collected from farmers from Fasli year 1420 (2010 to 2011).
What irrigation charges were being collected before abolition?
The order records Rs. 175 per hectare for irrigated wet crops and Rs. 150 per hectare for irrigated dry crops when irrigation came from first or second class sources.
Does Government Order (Ms.) No. 546 change land ownership or registration rules?
No such change is stated. Government Order (Ms.) No. 546 concerns the abolition of Additional Water Cess collected from farmers.
Why had the Additional Water Cess been collected?
It was collected for payment to Water Users Associations that maintained water distribution and to the Water Resources Organisation.
