Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
G.O.(Ms) No.137, Survey and Resurvey Using Differential Global Positioning System
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Survey and Settlement Wing, issued Government Order G.O.(Ms) No.137 on 6 March 2020 to fix fees for special land surveys using Differential Global Positioning System and Continuously Operating Reference Stations. It sets different charges for unknown boundary points and known points with intact survey stones, and permits these surveys for individual landowners.
Purpose and scope
Government Order G.O.(Ms) No.137, issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Survey and Settlement Wing, on 6 March 2020, governs fees for special land surveys using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS). The Government accepted the Director of Survey and Settlement's proposal and ratified the fee already fixed for points whose locations are unknown.
Who it affects
Government departments, quasi government bodies and private organisations had approached the Directorate of Survey and Settlement for DGPS and CORS surveys. Government Order G.O.(Ms) No.137 also permits the Directorate to conduct these surveys on land belonging to individual landowners and to publish newspaper advertisements about the service.
The charging method may therefore affect an owner or organisation seeking a digitally surveyed map, geo coordinates, identification of an unknown point, or measurement of land through the DGPS and CORS network.
Key fee provisions
Government Order G.O.(Ms) No.137 fixes the following survey charges:
- Where the location of a point is unknown and must be staked out using DGPS, the charge is Rs.1000 per point or Rs.1000 per hectare, whichever is higher.
- Where a point is known because the survey stone is intact, the charge is Rs.500 per known point.
- Fees collected must be remitted under the government head of account specified in the order.
The distinction was proposed after the WAQF Board requested digital surveys of properties where fencing and survey stones were largely intact. The Director of Survey and Settlement considered the revised charging pattern useful for ordinary landowners as well.
Survey infrastructure and use of fees
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department records that 200 DGPS units were procured and 70 CORS locations were established across Tamil Nadu. These stations were networked with the Control Centre at the Directorate of Survey and Settlement.
The order explains that regular funds are needed to maintain DGPS and Electronic Total Station equipment, the CORS network, servers and desktop computers. Funds may also be required to purchase additional survey equipment according to demand.
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
How much will I be charged if my boundary point cannot be located?
For a point whose location is unknown and must be staked out using DGPS, the fee is Rs.1000 per point or Rs.1000 per hectare, whichever is higher.
Is the fee lower when the survey stone is still intact?
Yes. A known point where the survey stone is intact is charged at Rs.500 per point.
Can an individual landowner obtain a DGPS survey?
Government Order G.O.(Ms) No.137 permits surveys of land belonging to individual landowners using DGPS over CORS. It also permits the service to be advertised in newspapers.
Are these survey fees only for private landowners?
No. The source records demand from government departments, quasi government bodies and private organisations, and also permits the service for individual landowners.
