Official guidance, Tamil Nadu land law
G.O. Ms. No. 1971, Natham Village Site Settlement, 1988
The Government of Tamil Nadu Revenue (SS II) Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 1971 dated 14 October 1988, directing publication of a notification for settling Natham village sites and agricultural lands used for non-agricultural purposes throughout Tamil Nadu, except Old Madras City. The notification provides for classification of land, levy of ground rent, issue of pattas, ownership enquiries, objections and appeals.
Scope and purpose
G.O. Ms. No. 1971 of the Government of Tamil Nadu Revenue (SS II) Department, dated 14 October 1988, covers Natham sites, village sites and agricultural lands used for non-agricultural purposes. It applies throughout Tamil Nadu except Old Madras City.
The settlement work is to be carried out by the Assistant Settlement Officers at Madurai, Coonoor, Dharapuram, Thanjavur and Tiruvannamalai within their respective jurisdictions. The Settlement Officer at Thanjavur supervises their work.
Classification and ground rent
The notification under G.O. Ms. No. 1971 provides for land to be recorded according to its ownership and actual use:
- Private holdings in Natham areas and agricultural lands set apart for dwelling purposes are to be registered as Manai.
- Vacant government sites readily available for house site assignment are to be registered as vacant site poramboke.
- Roads, streets, channels, pathways, hospitals, cattle stands, threshing floors and other public properties are to be recorded according to their use.
- Land belonging to temples, churches, mosques, schools and similar institutions is to be recorded accordingly.
- Public properties such as roads, streets, lanes and channels are exempt from ground rent.
Agricultural land used for non-agricultural purposes may be subdivided according to enjoyment and ownership where an approved layout exists. Where there is no approved layout, joint pattas are to be issued to all owners without subdivision based on enjoyment.
Patta and ownership process
The settlement procedure under G.O. Ms. No. 1971 requires field inspection and entry of the owner in the prescribed land register. A Settlement Deputy Tahsildar conducts a further inspection, and the Assistant Settlement Officer checks a proportion of cases.
Key steps include:
- Subdivision and issue of pattas where occupants establish ownership.
- Recognition of house site pattas already issued by the Revenue Department.
- Service of rough pattas showing survey details, classification, area and ground rent.
- A hearing before the Special Tahsildar, attended by the Village Administrative Officer.
- Where no Revenue Department assignment order exists, ownership may be decided from enjoyment for thirty years before Gazette publication, using oral or documentary evidence.
Objections and appeals
G.O. Ms. No. 1971 requires a rough patta objection hearing, with the hearing date set at least 15 days after the last service of rough pattas. Objections to entries or omissions may be heard, but objections to the notified ground rent rates are not admitted.
An appeal against the Special Tahsildar's order may be made to the jurisdictional Assistant Settlement Officer within 30 days from communication of the order, excluding the time taken to obtain certified copies.
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
Does G.O. Ms. No. 1971 apply to land in Old Madras City?
No. The notification applies throughout Tamil Nadu except the area of Old Madras City.
What happens if agricultural land used for non-agricultural purposes has no approved layout?
Joint pattas are to be issued to all owners. The land will not be subdivided based on individual enjoyment.
How is ownership decided when there is no Revenue Department assignment order?
The Special Tahsildar may decide ownership based on enjoyment for thirty years before publication of the notification in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. Oral or documentary evidence may be considered.
Can I appeal against a rough patta ownership decision?
Yes. An appeal may be made to the Assistant Settlement Officer having jurisdiction within 30 days from communication of the Special Tahsildar's order, excluding the time taken to obtain certified copies.
