G.O. (Ms) No.423, COVID-19 Lockdown Extension up to 5 July 2021
The Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department issued G.O. (Ms) No.423 dated 26 June 2021, extending the COVID-19 complete lockdown across Tamil Nadu from 28 June 2021 until 6.00 A.M. on 5 July 2021, with permitted activities based on three district categories. The notification did not change land rights, but it allowed Sub-Registrar Offices to operate in every category during the stated period.
What the notification governed
G.O. (Ms) No.423 dated 26 June 2021 was issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It extended the complete lockdown across Tamil Nadu from 28 June 2021 until 6.00 A.M. on 5 July 2021 and listed activities permitted during that period.
The notification concerned temporary COVID-19 restrictions. It did not set out changes to land ownership, planning, patta, registration law or land use.
District categories
The Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-IV) Department classified districts by the number of active COVID-19 cases:
- Category I covered Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Myladuthurai.
- Category II covered the 23 districts listed in the notification, including Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Vellore, Tirunelveli and Villupuram.
- Category III covered Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu.
Different staffing limits applied to some government departments, private organisations, banks and financial institutions according to category.
Relevance to property transactions
The annexure to G.O. (Ms) No.423 expressly permitted Sub-Registrar Offices to function in Category I, Category II and Category III. The source does not specify operating hours, appointment procedures or document registration conditions for those offices.
Other relevant permitted activities included:
- Essential government offices with full staff strength.
- Other government departments with 50 per cent staff in Category I and full staff in Categories II and III.
- Private organisations with 50 per cent staff in Categories I and II, and full staff in Category III.
- Banks and listed financial institutions with 50 per cent staff in Category I and full staff in Categories II and III.
Safety and enforcement
G.O. (Ms) No.423 required permitted shops and industries to follow COVID-19 safety procedures. These included masks, hand sanitiser at entrances, thermal screening, distancing, queue markings and regular disinfection.
No activities were permitted in containment zones. The Commissioner of the Greater Chennai Corporation and District Collectors were responsible for enforcement and could take action to impose fines. Travel to Nilgiris District, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri and Kutralam for emergency reasons required an e-pass from the respective District Collector.
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
Were Sub-Registrar Offices allowed to open during this lockdown extension?
Yes. The annexure permitted Sub-Registrar Offices in Category I, Category II and Category III. It did not state their operating hours or appointment requirements.
Did G.O. (Ms) No.423 change any land ownership or registration rules?
No land ownership or registration rule changes are stated. The notification dealt with the COVID-19 lockdown and activities allowed during the specified period.
Could a Sub-Registrar Office operate inside a containment zone?
The notification stated that no activities were permitted in containment zones. This restriction applied despite the general permission for Sub-Registrar Offices.
Was an e-pass required to travel to the Nilgiris during this period?
Travel to Nilgiris District for emergency reasons required an e-pass from the District Collector. The same requirement applied to emergency travel to Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri and Kutralam.
