HR and CE temple land guidance on patta transfer during Covid period

What this document is

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department issued Na.Ka.No.36755/2020/W4 dated 15.09.2021 as administrative guidance on patta transfer and related revenue action for lands belonging to religious institutions. The proceedings were issued in the context of Covid 19 restrictions and they rely on Government Order Ms. No. 504, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 07.08.2021 and Government Order Ms. No. 541, Revenue and Disaster Management Department, dated 31.08.2021.

What it governs

The proceedings deal with revenue records, especially patta related action, where the land belongs to temples or other institutions under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

It is aimed at cases where:

• temple or religious institution land is involved,
• patta transfer or mutation has been sought or processed,
• revenue officials need to act based on Government directions issued during the Covid 19 period,
• district level officers and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments officials must coordinate.

Who it affects

This matters to:

• buyers checking whether land belongs to a temple,
• present owners or occupiers of land that may be recorded in the name of a religious institution,
• temple administrators,
• revenue officials handling patta changes,
• lawyers, document writers and property professionals doing due diligence.

If a property is connected with Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments land records, these proceedings may affect whether patta can be changed or how the case is reviewed.

Key points from the proceedings

• The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department circulated instructions to its field officers and related authorities.
• The proceedings refer to earlier communications dated 26.07.2021 and to the two Revenue and Disaster Management Department Government Orders dated 07.08.2021 and 31.08.2021.
• The document discusses patta transfer action in respect of lands of religious institutions and the need for scrutiny before revenue entries are changed.
• The proceedings mention district level review and communication with revenue authorities.
• The document indicates that action taken during the Covid 19 period was being regularised or guided through these instructions.
• The proceedings were sent to multiple officers for implementation and follow up.

What a property buyer should take from it

Before buying land, check whether the land is connected to a temple or other Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments institution. If it is, patta status alone may not settle ownership questions, and revenue changes may be subject to departmental scrutiny and Government instructions referred to in Na.Ka.No.36755/2020/W4 dated 15.09.2021.