Revenue Department

Policy Note 2003-2004

Demand No. 39 – Revenue Department

Demand No.49 – Relief on Account of Natural Calamities

1 Introduction
2 Revenue Administration
3 Land Administration
4 Survey and Land Record and maintenance
5 Land Reforms
Annexures

CHAPTER -1
INTRODUCTION
Among the various departments functioning under the control of the Government, Revenue
Department is one of the vital departments which has direct contact with public in all its activities.
This department is one of the ancient departments. Its origin dates back to the colonial rule in
India. In order to have an effective and efficient administration, districts were formed by the colonial
rulers with Collectors as the head of the district.

The erstwhile Board of Revenue was formed in the year 1786 to advise the Collectors in
respect of administrative matters. This Board was abolished on 1.12.1980. The functions of the
erstwhile Board of Revenue are now being looked after by different departments such as Revenue
Administration Department, Land Administration Department, Land Reforms Department, Transport
Department, Commercial Taxes Department and Prohibition and Excise Department.

The Revenue Administration Department headed by the Special Commissioner and

Commissioner of Revenue Administration, is incharge of District Revenue Administration and
general administration, levy and collection of land revenue, cesses and related levies, relief and
rehabilitation of the victims of natural calamities and implementation of social security measures.

The Land Administration Department headed by the Special Commissioner and

Commissioner of Land Administration is incharge of land acquisition, alienation, assignment of
lands and house site pattas, maintenance of survey and land records and distribution of land
pattas.

Land Reforms Department headed by the Special Commissioner and Commissioner of

Land Reforms, is entrusted with agrarian reforms such as agricultural land ceiling, tenancy rights,
assignment of surplus lands for agricultural purposes and collection of Agricultural Income Tax and
Urban Land Tax.

At the district level, Collectors and District Revenue Officers assisted by the Revenue
Divisional Officers, Tahsildars, Revenue Inspectors, Village Administrative Officers and Village
Assistants are incharge of these duties.

The Survey and Land Records Department headed by the Commissioner and Director of
Survey and Settlements is incharge of Survey, Computerisation of Land Records, Touch Screen
Computer Kiosks, Digitization of Field Measurement, Global positioning system, Strengthening of
Revenue Administration and updating of Land Records, etc.,
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CHAPTER -2
REVENUE ADMINISTRATION
At the District level, the Collector is the principal officer incharge of not only maintenance
of Law and Order and land related matters, but also of all developmental activities and
implementation of various schemes through various departments. As far as other officers of the
Revenue Department are concerned, apart from maintaining law and order, they are mainly
responsible for all election related matters including conduct of general elections to the Assembly
and Parliament, collection of land revenue and other related matters, issue of various certificates to
the public, implementing Old Age Pension Schemes, monitoring Public Distribution System, Noon
Meal Schemes for children and the old age pensioners. Further, the Revenue Department officials
have direct contact with the general public and their main job is also to redress their grievances.
One of the foremost activities of the Revenue Department is to tackle effectively and efficiently all
types of natural calamities like flood, drought, etc.

In the district administrative set up if, any work is not directly assigned to a particular
department but has a bearing on the general public, such works would ultimately be taken care of
by the Revenue Department.

2.2 MASS CONTACT PROGRAMME

This programme is implemented under the aegis of the Collectors and the District Revenue
Officers with the active participation of officials of all Government Department and Banks for the
redressal of public grievances. Under this programme the District Administration goes to the
Villages and meets the public and tries to redress their grievances to the extent possible on the
spot.

The Mass Contact Programme is conducted once a month on the second Wednesday. If it
is a public holiday the Mass Contact Programme will be conducted on the next working day. The
Programme is implemented in such a way that all the villages are covered by the programme
within a period of three years. The Collectors chalk out the programme well in advance as to in
which village and on what dates the Collectors , District Revenue Officers and all other Gazetted
Officers should conduct the programme. The monthly Mass Contact Programme shall not be
postponed or dropped on any account.

A report on the conduct of the Mass Contact Programme is sent to the Special
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Commissioner and Commissioner of Revenue Administration before the 25 of every month for
review. The Mass Contact Programme registers are checked by the Collectors and the Heads of
Departments during the tours in the districts and reviews taken up on the reports.

The petitions received during the Mass Contact Programme are examined on priority basis
and grievances immediately redressed. Out of 1,95,194 petitions received in the year 2002,
1,58,084 petitions were disposed of from January 2002 to December 2002.

2.3 PUBLIC GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL DAY

Public Grievance Redressal Day is observed in all the districts. On every Monday the
Collectors / Revenue Divisional Officers / Tahsildars remain in their Head Quarters, receive
petitions from the Public, obtain reports from the subordinates and other departmental officers and
give proper replies to the petitioners on the specified dates.

The Public Grievance Redressal Cell established in each Collectorate is functioning under
the control of a Special Deputy Collector. The Special Deputy Collector has been provided with a
vehicle. By travelling throughout the district and by getting details through the 'NICNET'., reviews
the action taken on the Grievance Day Petitions by all the offices in the districts.
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With a view to having an effective, transparent and efficient administration, the Government
have issued instructions for the speedy disposal of the petitions. These include issuing
acknowledgement of petitions within a period of 5 days, disposal of petitions within a period of 90
days, updating the entries in the computer network and reviewing the action taken periodically.

Out of 2,77,362 petitions received on Public Grievance Redressal days from January
2002 to December 2002 2,57,814 petitions were disposed of.

2.4. PETITIONS RECEIVED BY HON'BLE

MINISTERS, M.Ps AND MLAs.

Hon'ble Ministers, MPs and MLAs receive petitions during their visits to their
constituencies. These petitions are sent to the Collectors for taking necessary action. All such
petitions sent to the Collector are entered in the register maintained Assembly Constituency /
Parliament Constituency wise and action is taken on the petitions.

A progress report on the disposal of petitions is being sent to the Special Commissioner
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and Commissioner of Revenue Administration before the 25 of every month who reviews the
progress in disposal of petitions.

In 2002, 43,914 petitions have been received and 39,556 petitions have been disposed of
from January 2002 to December 2002.

2.5.CERTIFICATES

The following certificates are issued by the Revenue Officials to the public.
1) Community Certificate
2) Nativity / Residential Certificate
3) Income Certificate
4) Nationality Certificate
5) Legal Heir Certificate
6) Solvency Certificate
7) Birth and Death Certificate
8) Certificate for Destitute Children
9) Destitute Widow Certificate
10) Inter-Caste Marriage Certificates
11) Certificate for the loss of school Certificates
12) Deserted Women Certificate

Community Certificate

In the year 1988, the system of issuing permanent Community Certificate has been
introduced for the reduction of unnecessary pressure on the persons who seek Community
Certificates and also on the revenue machinery. This is valid for securing admission in all
educational institutions and also for getting employment.

Under this scheme permanent community certificate cards are printed in the Government
Central Press every year after obtaining orders from Government and issued to the public through
Taluk Offices.

As per G.O.Ms.No.348, Rev., dated 7.8.2002, a total number of 16,50,000 community

certificate cards were printed and supplied to the Districts for the year 2002-2003 for issuing to the
public.
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On completion of School Education, Community Certificate, Income Certificate and
Nativity Certificate are required by every student for pursuing higher studies and for getting
employment.

With a view to avoiding the delay in obtaining these certificates by the students in the Taluk
Office, a new system of issue of certificates through schools in which the students are studying has
been introduced vide G.O.Ms.No.165, Rev., dated 1.4.99. As per this system, completed
applications for these certificates are obtained from the students by the Headmasters of the
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Schools concerned while they study in X Std. or XII Std. and sent to the Tahsildars concerned with
their attestation. The certificates are then prepared after due enquiry by the Revenue officials and
despatched to the concerned schools. These Certificates are handed over to the students on
completion of their studies along with the school Transfer Certificates.

The total number of community, Income and Nativity certificates issued during 2002-2003
upto December’2002 through schools were as follows.
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10 standard students - 8,01,087
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12 standard students - 3,18,924
Total - 11 ,20,011

Nativity / Residential Certificate

(a) Nativity means a place of one's birth.

(b) Residence denotes a place of person staying regularly at least for 3 years.
The applications seeking these certificates should bear one Rupee Court fee stamp.
These certificates are issued for the purpose of securing admission in the school and for getting
priority in employment opportunities.

Nativity certificate is issued to the applicant if he / she has continuously resided for five
years and more in a particular place.
Residential certificate is issued if one lives in a particular place for more than three years.

Income Certificate

This certificate is required for obtaining scholarship in Schools and Colleges and for
getting admission in the hostels. This is issued based on the parents’income.

Nationality Certificate

On a report from the Revenue Inspector, after proper enquiry this certificate is issued to a
citizen for getting passport, visa, etc.

Legal Heirship Certificate

Generally, if the head or a member of the family expires, the next legal heir of the
deceased, like wife, or husband, son, daughter, father / mother may apply for heirship certificate for
transfer of movable or immovable properties, sanction of family pension, etc. The death certificate
in original obtained from the competent authority should accompany the application which should
contain court fee stamp of Re.1/-. The application shall be forwarded to the Revenue Inspector to
enquire all legal heirs, neighbours, other villagers and the Village Administrative Officer in detail. On
receipt of report a certificate mentioning the names of all natural legal heirs of the deceased will be
issued by the Taluk Tahsildar.
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Solvency Certificate

This certificate is required for getting contracts and for participating in an auction or
tenders. The application should be received by the Tahsildar. A court fee stamp of the value of
Rs.10/- should be affixed. For the value of Rs.50,000/- for which solvency certificate is required, a
sum of Rs.100/- and for the value of every additional Rs.50,000/- a sum of Rs.200/- should be
remitted in the Treasury.

Birth/Death Certificate

This certificate is issued by the Headquarters Deputy Tahsildar on the basis of the entries
in the Birth/Death Register available in Taluk Office or with the Village Administrative Officer. The
application should bear the court fee stamp of Re.1/-

In Town Panchayat area, the certificate is issued by the Executive Officer of the Town
Panchayat.

In Municipal towns, this certificate is issued by the Municipal Commissioner.

Destitute Children Certificate

This certificate is required for admission in the orphanages. On request proper enquiries
will be conducted regarding the child's parents, whether the child is really an orphan and whether
the child is under the custody of the guardian.

Destitute Widow Certificate

This certificate is issued to the widows on request for claiming priority in job opportunities.
After conducting enquiry about the death of the applicant’s husband and whether the applicant got
re-married, etc, the Revenue Divisional Officer concerned will issue the certificate on the basis of
the report of the Tahsildar.

Intercaste Marriage certificate

In case of marriage of a couple belonging to two different communities, of whom one must
belong to SC or ST community, this certificate is issued on proper verification and enquiry by the
Tahsildar. This certificate is useful for getting priority in employment, Government assistance and
for getting admission of their wards in schools.

Certificate Regarding Loss of School Certificate

When original school and college certificate is lost, the individual applies to the Tahsildar
for issue of a certificate regarding the loss of the certificate to apply to the concerned authority for a
duplicate certificate. The applicant shall produce a copy of the first information report registered in
the Police Station and a certificate from the Police Officer to the effect that the certificate is not
traceable. The certificate is issued after proper enquiry by the Tahsildar.

Deserted Women Certificate

If a married woman is deserted by her husband and lives alone continuously for a period
of five years or more without any contact with her husband, she is said to have been deserted.
She can get the certificate from the Tahsildar. Before issuing such a certificate proper enquiry is
conducted. Temporary separation shall not be considered for issuing this certificate. This
certificate helps to get assistance from Government.
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2.6. Reorganisation of Jurisdiction

As per G.O.Ms.No. 657 Revenue, dated 29.12.2000, Ariyalur District was carved out of
Perambalur District and the newly formed district started functioning with effect from 01.01.2001.
With the addition of Ariyalur District, the total number of districts in the State was 30.
Subsequently, with a view to reducing expenditure and improving efficiency in administration,
orders were issued in G.O.Ms.No. 167 Revenue Department, dated 19.4.2002, merging Ariyalur
district with Perambalur district, with headquarters at Perambalur.

After the merger of Ariyalur District with Perambalur District, the total number of districts in
the State has come down from 30 to 29. There is no change in the number of Divisions, Taluks, etc.
However the Government has decided to continue all the offices functioning in the erstwhile
Ariyalur District (except the office of the Collector and Superintendent of Police) at Ariyalur after
merger.

The districtwise details relating to total number of Divisions, Taluks, Firkas and Villages are
given in Annexure-1.

The total population of the State as per 2001 Census is 6,21,10,839 out of which
3,12,68,654 (51%) are male and 3,08,42,185 are female (49%). The districtwise details of
population are given in Annexure -2.

2.7 Infrastructural facilities

For effective functioning of the Revenue Department the Government is giving due
importance to provide proper infrastructure facilities such as provision of Xerox, Fax machines,
furniture, etc., and construction of office buildings, office-cum-residential buildings and residential
buildings from the level of Collectors down to the Village Administrative Officers. Funds are
provided for this purpose every year.
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Infrastructure facilities provided under the 11 Finance Commission Grant
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The 11 Finance Commission has provided a sum of Rs.44 Crores as Grant, towards
provision of infrastructural facilities for the new Districts formed after 1.4.93 (viz) Villupuram,
Karur, Perambalur, Namakkal, Theni, Tiruvallur and Tiruvarur. A matching grant has been provided
by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The period of the scheme is five year from 2000-2004. Out of
the above Rs.88 crores, after adjusting the amount already spent for construction of buildings by
the State Government in the above 7 districts the Government in G.O.Ms.No. 78 Revenue
Department, dated 13.2.2002 have formulated schemes and accorded necessary administrative
and financial sanction to the tune of Rs.73.97 crores to be spent during the years 2001-2002 to
2003-2004.

Out of the above amount, 70% is allocated to Revenue Department and the balance 30%
is allocated to Non-Revenue (other Departments). In respect of Revenue Department, a sum of
Rs.4757.60 lakhs has been sanctioned for the construction of office buildings, residential quarters
and for providing other infrastructural facilities and in respect of other Departments a sum of
Rs.2639.28 lakhs has been provided for the construction of office buildings and residential quarters
in the above 7 districts.

OFFICE BUILDINGS
Collectorate buildings

Out of the 29 Districts in the State, 28 District Collectorates have been provided with
Government buildings. The foundation stone for the Master Plan Complex for Perambalur District
had been laid and the work will be commenced very soon.
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Revenue Divisional Officers’ Office buildings

The construction of the Revenue Divisional Officers’ Office building at Attur is in progress.
This is the only office functioning in a private building out of the 73 offices in the State.

Tahsildar's Office building

Out of 206 taluks, 24 Taluk Offices are not functioning in the Government buildings.
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Under the 11 Finance Commission Grant, 6 taluk office buildings at Theni and
Bodinaickanur in Theni District, Krishnarayapuram in Karur District, Veppanthattai in Perambalur
District, Poonnamalle and Pallipattu in Tiruvallur District, have been taken up for construction and
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the works are in progress. Further, extension of buildings have been taken up under the 11
Finance Commission Grant at Vanur, Tindivanam and Tirukoilur Taluk Offices and the works are
in progress.

For the remaining 18 taluk offices construction of office buildings will be taken up in a
phased manner, subject to availability of fund.

Residential Quarters
Collectors’ Camp Office cum Residence

Out of 29 Collectors, 20 Collectors have already been provided with Camp Office cum
residence. In respect of Chennai district the Collector, Chennai has to select a suitable site and
send proposals. In respect of Nagapattinam District the Collector is residing in a building owned by
the Nagapattinam Port authorities. Perambalur District Collector's Camp office cum residence will
be constructed in the Master Plan Complex soon with the Eleventh Finance Commission Grant.

Further the construction of Camp Office cum residence for Collectors of Karur, Namakkal,
Tiruvallur, Tiruvarur and Theni Districts have been taken up and the works are in progress with the
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assistance of the 11 Finance Commission Grant. In respect of Tiruvannamalai Collector's camp
office cum residence, the construction is proposed to be taken up in 2003-04 with State funds.

District Revenue Officers’ Camp Office cum Residence

19 out of the 29 District Revenue Officers have been provided with Camp office cum
residence. In respect of Perambalur District, the District Revenue Officers’ Camp Office cum
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residence will be constructed in the Master Plan Complex early with the 11 Finance Commission
Grant.
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Further, under the 11 Finance Commission Grant, the Camp Office cum residence for the
District Revenue Officers in Karur, Theni, Namakkal, Tiruvarur and Tiruvallur districts have been
taken up for construction and the works are in progress. The construction of camp office cum
residence for the remaining three District Revenue Officers at Nagapattinam, Tiruvannamalai and
The Nilgiris, will be taken up in a phased manner, subject to availability of funds.

Revenue Divisional Officers’ Quarters

Out of the 73 Revenue Divisional Officers, quarters have been provided for 58 Revenue
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Divisional Officers. Under the 11 Finance Commission Grant, the residential quarters for Revenue
Divisional Officers at Perambalur, Udayarpalayam, Kulithalai, Tiruchengode, Tiruthani, Ponneri,
Tiruvarur and Theni have been taken up for construction and works are in progress. The
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construction of residential quarters for the remaining Revenue Divisional Officers will be
taken up in a phased manner, subject to availability of funds.

Tahsildars’ Quarters

Out of the 206 Tahsildars, 169 Tahsildars have been provided with quarters. The
construction of ten Tahsildars’ quarters viz. Sendurai, Veppanthatai, Kunnam, Krishnaraya-
puram, Aravakurichi, Poonnamallee, Ambathur, Theni, Bodinaickanur and Andipatti in Perambalur,
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Karur, Tiruvallur and Theni Districts have been taken up under the 11 Finance Commission Grant
and the works are in progress. The construction of quarters for the remaining 27 Tahsildars will be
taken up in a phased manner, subject to availability of funds.

Revenue Inspectors’ Office cum Residence

Office cum residence for 1,080 Revenue Inspectors out of the 1,120 have already been
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constructed. Under the 11 Finance Commission Grant, office cum residence for 3 Revenue
Inspectors in Tiruvallur district and one Revenue Inspector in Tiruvarur district have been taken up
for construction and the works are in progress. Providing office cum residence for twenty Revenue
Inspectors in Chennai district will not be necessary. Office cum residence for the remaining 16
Revenue Inspectors will be taken up in a phased manner, subject to availability of funds.

Office Cum Residence and Office buildings for Village Administrative Officers

There are 12,506 Village Administrative Officers in the State. The Government as a matter
of policy, decided to provide office-cum-residence to all Village Administrative Officers in a phased
manner. Accordingly, to start with steps were taken to provide office-cum-residence to Village
Administrative Officers in hilly areas, coastal villages and sensitive villages. The construction of 60
Village Administrative Officers’ office-cum-residence were taken up in the hilly areas in Dharmapuri,
Salem and the Nilgiris Districts.
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Further, under the 11 Finance Commission Grant, the construction of 166 office-cum-
residence for Village Administrative Officers in the years 2001-2004 in the newly created districts
of Villupuram, Karur, Perambalur, Namakkal, Tiruvallur, Tiruvarur and Theni has been sanctioned.
Out of the above 166, in 103 places works are in progress. The remaining 63 will be taken up
during the year 2003-2004.

As it may take considerable time to construct the remaining office cum residence buildings
for all Village Administrative Officers, considering its volume and due to financial constraint, the
Government have decided to construct office buildings only since 2001-02, in 180 sq.ft. area for
4000 Village Administrative Officers every year alongside the Panchayat office buildings in the
next three years (2001-2004) for the convenience of the public.

Accordingly under Phase I, construction of 1650 buildings under Part II scheme for the
year 2001-02 and 2350 buildings under MLACD scheme were proposed to be taken up. A total
number of 3851 Village Administrative Offices' office building has been taken up, out of which
3826 have been completed.

During 2002-2003, construction of office buildings for 3740 Village Administrative Officers
has also been taken up (1650 under Part II Scheme and 2090 Nos. under MLACDS) and are in
progress. The scheme will be taken up for 2003-2004 also.

2.8. VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION

Village Administration is the main-stay and backbone of the District Revenue

Administration. Upto 1980, the Village Administration was run with the help of part time Village
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Officers. As a Policy, the Government wanted to revamp the Village Administrative set
up. Accordingly, the Tamil Nadu Ordinance 10/80 was promulgated by His Excellency the Governor
on 13.11.80, for the abolition of posts of part-time Village Officers, which came into force at once.
Based on this Ordinance, the posts of part-time Village Officers were abolished with effect from
14.11.80. Tamil Nadu Abolition of Posts of Part-time Village Officers Act 3 of 1981 came into force
on 14.11.80. In the place of Part-time Village Officers, full time Village Administrative Officers were
appointed.

In G.O.(Ms).No. 2747, Revenue Department, dated 12.12.80, the Government have

ordered that the posts of the Village Administrative Officers shall be within the purview of the
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, and also amended the rule to the effect that the
appointment to the posts of Village Administrative Officers shall be made by direct recruitment.
Accordingly recruitments were made through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.

In the meantime, as a result of litigations over appointment of Village Administrative

Officers and based on the guidelines issued by the Tamil Nadu Administrative Tribunal, the
Government had issued orders in G.O.(Ms).No. 1195, Revenue Department, dated. 6.7.l982. As
per this order Ex-Village Officers, who held office on 14.11.80 and possessed the minimum general
educational qualification (category -I) were ordered to be appointed as Village Administrative
Officers by the screening committee. The Government had also issued orders in G.O.(Ms).No.
1287, Revenue Department, dated 6.7.88, for appointment of the Ex-Village Officers who held
office on 14.11.1980, but passed S.S.L.C subsequent to 20.02.82 (Category-II) sponsored by
Employment Exchange as Village Administrative Officers, subject to certain conditions.
Subsequently, the Government had issued orders in G.O.(Ms).No. 954, Revenue Department,
dated. 16.10.1997 for appointment of the Ex-Village Officers who were not in service on 14.11.80.
but had worked as part-time village officers for a short period prior to 14.11.80 but possessed the
minimum general educational qualification, if they are otherwise qualified (Category.III) as Village
Administrative Officers in any of the then existing or future vacancies as per seniority maintained in
a separate register on the basis of their length of service.

The Village Administrative Officers who are in service now comprise not only the Ex-Village
Officers recruited through the above methods but also the Village Administrative Officers recruited
through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission.

Promotion to Village Administrative Officers

In G.O.(Ms)No.781, Revenue dated 25.5.85, the Government have ordered that (i) the
Village Administrative Officers may be made eligible for appointment as Junior Assistants by
transfer after putting in a service of not less than 5 years (ii) the Village Administrative Officers may
be considered for appointment as Junior Assistants, against 20% of the vacancies every year and
(iii) the transfer as Junior Assistant may be made as per the seniority list prepared district wise.

Subsequently in supersession of the above Government orders, the Government issued

orders in G.O.(Ms).No. 386, Revenue Department dated. 1.10.2001 to promote the Selection
Grade Village Administrative Officers who have completed 10 years of service, as Assistants
subject to certain other conditions. The number of such Assistants for promotion from the
Selection Grade Village Administrative officers has been restricted to 10 % of the vacancies arising
in the districts.

The Government order further emphasised that the interest of those Village Administrative
Officers who after their transfer from Village Administrative Officers to Junior Assistant as per the
Government order issued in G.O.(Ms).No. 781, Revenue dated. 25.5.85. got promoted later as
Assistants, should be protected against the Selection Grade Village Administrative Officers who are
to be promoted as Assistants as per the Government order issued in G.O.(Ms).No. 386, Revenue
Department, dated. 1.10.2001. Further the seniority of the Junior Assistants transferred from the
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Village Administrative Officers should be integrated with the seniority of the Selection
Grade Village Administrative Officers fully qualified for promotion to the post of Assistants.

Payment of Pension to Ex. Village Officers

Consequent on the abolition of the posts of Village Officers, the Government in their order
(Ms) No.828, Revenue Department dt. 23.8.96 sanctioned a Special Pension with effect from
5.12.1986 to those Ex. Village Officers who lost their jobs on 14.11.80. Accordingly the Ex.
Village Officers are eligible for special pension as follows.

1) a sum of Rs. 175/- p.m. which was hitherto paid with attendent benefits to Ex. Village
Officers has been enhanced to Rs. 250/- p.m. as per G.O(Ms) No. 629. Revenue Dept.
dt. 22.7.98. (As on date a sum of Rs. 823/- p.m. is being paid as Special Pension)

2) a sum of Rs. 100/- p.m. which was paid as Family Pension to the family of the
deceased Ex. Village Officers, who were in service on 14.11.80, has been enhanced
to Rs. 150/- p.m. as per G.O. (Ms)No. 629, Revenue Department, dt. 22.7.98.

3) In G.O.(Ms)No. 753 Revenue Department, dt. 9.9.98, the Government has extended
this Ex- Village Officers' special pension scheme to those Ex. Village Officers who
were under suspension or leave on 14.11.80

4) In G.O.(Ms)No.121, Revenue Department, dt. 13.3.2001, the Ex- Village Officer's

pension scheme has been extended to those who were in service on 14.11.80 and
subsequently qualified and got appointed as Village Administrative Officers, but
retired without rendering minimum qualifying service of 10 years.

5) In G.O. (Ms) No. 294, Revenue Department, dt. 30.8.2001, the Government have
extended the benefit of special pension to those Village Officers who were ordered to
retire from service on completion of 60 years of age as per G.O.(Ms) No. 2261,
Revenue dt. 9.10.78.

Village Assistant Establishment

Before 1-6-1995, part time Village servants were on consolidated pay. In G.O. (Ms)No.
625, Revenue dt. 6-7-1995, the Government made the part-time village servants as full time
Government servants and the new scale of pay has been fixed for them as Rs. 600-10-750 with
effect from 1.6.1995. In the sixth pay commission, the scale of pay has been revised as Rs.
1800-20-2240. In G.O. (Ms) No.521, Revenue dt. 17-6-1998 the Government have framed
Service Rules for the post of full time Village Assistants. In G.O. (Ms) No. 362, Revenue dt.
7.7.1999, orders were issued for giving compassionate appointment in Government service to the
legal heirs of Village servants who died in harness and whose services had been regularised.

Payment of pension to Village Servants/ Village Assistants

As per G.O.(Ms).No. 1495, Revenue Department, dt. 1.9.1984 the part-time Village
servants who retire on attaining the age of sixty years should be paid an amount for the total
service put in by them as Village Servants and the amount should be calculated at the rate of one
half of the monthly emoluments.

In Government Letter.(Ms)No.112, Revenue Depart- ment, dated 4.3.2002, the

Government have ordered that for the Village Assistants who retired from service between 1.6.95
and 31.5.2000, service Gratuity should be paid at the rate of one half of the monthly emoluments
for every year of total service put in by them and for those who retired after 31.5.2000, Death-cum-
Retirement-Gratuity should be paid as per the Tamil Nadu Pension Rules.
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2.9. Land Revenue

Land Revenue is fixed with reference to sort, soil, water resource and tharam of the land.
Additional Assessment, Additional Water Cess, Local Cess and Local Cess Surcharge assessed
based on the land revenue are being collected along with Land Revenue. With effect from 1.7.67,
basic assessment on all dry lands was waived. Likewise, with effect from 1.7.71, land revenue
equal to dry assessment was waived in respect of individual holdings of 5 acres of wet lands and
below, it is collected from the Land Pattadars in a congenial way. As per existing Govt.
instructions distraint proceedings are not initiated without the permission of the Government for
collection of Land Revenue arrears.

The position regarding collection of Land Revenue (Fasli 1411-1412) from 1.1.2002 to
31.12.2002 is given in Annexure -3.

Full remission of Land Revenue, Local Cess, and Local Cess Surcharge are given for the
fasli 1412 in the drought affected 28 districts.

2.10. NATURAL CALAMITIES

Rain/Floods

The coastal districts of Tamil Nadu are often affected by the trough/low
pressure/depression/cyclone that formed in the Bay of Bengal during the North-East monsoon
season. Every year during the North-East monsoon season, an Anti-Disaster Plan is implemented
in all the districts to mitigate the damages likely to be caused by the rain, flood and cyclone.

In Tamil Nadu, a District Co-ordination Committee under the Chairmanship of Collector is

convened in all the districts before the onset of the North-East monsoon for taking precautionary
measures and relief operations in connection with natural calamities. On the experiences gained
over the years in combating natural calamities and the suggestions received from the District Co-
ordination Committee, a District Contingency Plan is prepared by the Collectors and implemented
in the districts. Further, a State Level High Power Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief
Secretary is convened with all line departments before the onset of North-East monsoon and
necessary instructions issued to the Collectors and to the officials of the line departments.

As per G.O.(Ms).No. 472, Revenue, dated 6.11.2002, the Government have also formed a
Relief Committee to monitor the damages caused by rain and flood and to monitor relief operations
in Chennai Corporation limit.

The standard pattern of relief given to the affected people by floods/cyclone/fire is given
below:-

(a) An immediate relief of Rs. 15,000/- is given by the respective district Collectors to the
families of each of the deceased persons.

(b) A relief at a rate of Rs.2,000/- for fully damaged hut and Rs. 1,000/- for partly damaged
hut is given. Besides, one saree and one dhoti, 5 kg of rice and one litre of kerosene
are also given free of cost to the affected families.

(c) A relief at the rate of Rs. 5,000/- for loss of adult cow, buffalo and bullock per head,
Rs. 3,000/- for loss of calf of cow and buffalo per head and Rs. 1,000/- for loss of
sheep and goat per head is given subject to a maximum of two cattle for a family.
 12

(d) Powers under Treasury Rule 27 have been delegated to the District Collectors in order
to provide immediate relief to the affected people.

(e) Relief Given for various crops affected by Floods/Cyclone/Drought.

Following the revised norms fixed by the Government of India, the Government have
issued orders in G.O. (Ms).No. 107, Revenue, dt. 4.3.2003 fixing the norms of relief to various
agriculture and horticulture crops damaged due to natural calamities like floods, cyclone, drought
as follows:-

Assistance to small and marginal farmers for:

Agriculture input subsidy where crop loss
was 50% and above. Rainfed areas Rs. 1,000/- per hectare.

For agriculture crops, horticulture crops and

Annual plantation crops Rs.2,500/- per hectare in area with
assured irrigation.

Perennial crops Rs.4,000/- per hectare.

NORTH-EAST MONSOON 2002

rd
The North-East Monsoon normally set in during the 3 week of October, after withdrawal of
South-west Monsoon. In the year 2002, the North-East monsoon set in on 23.10.2002. The actual
rainfall received from North-East monsoon was only 406.92 mm against the normal rain fall of
468.06 mm. This is 87% of the normal rainfall. There was shortfall of rain in 11 districts during this
season. The districts of Chennai, Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore and Erode experienced heavy
rainfall on certain days of North-East monsoon. In Tamil Nadu during the North-East monsoon
2002, there were 65 human deaths and 147 cattle loss. 347 huts were fully damaged and 811
were partly damaged. The District Collectors sanctioned immediate relief to those affected.

CHENNAI CORPORATION

The North-East monsoon was vigorous from the day of onset in the Chennai Corporation
area. The low pressure formed in Bay of Bengal brought heavy rain to Chennai and its suburbs
from 29.10.2002 to 3.11.2002 and caused the vehicles plying on the roads from out of gear. The
arterial roads, inner roads, underground drainage, drainage channels were badly damaged and
affected normal life of the public. Several places in the City were inundated. Relief measures were
undertaken on war footing to render relief to the affected people. The Government have
sanctioned a sum of Rs. 12.12 crores from Calamity Relief Fund for relief and restoration works to
Chennai Corporation.

KANNIYAKUMARI DISTRICT

Perunchani, Chittar I and Chittar II dams in Kanniyakumari districts were filled to the brim
due to heavy rainfall on 20.11.2002 and 24.11.2002. Tanks, ponds and canals in the district were
heavily eroded and low-lying areas were inundated in the district. In Agasteeswaram and Thovalai
Taluks, more than 50 channels got breached due to erosion. Therur dam with a capacity of 119.84
cft and irrigating an area of 460 hectares (Ayacut) got breached on 20.11.2002 causing heavy loss
to the paddy crops and damaging the telecommunication network. Kottar culverts at NH 47 were
also damaged. The Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 50.23 lakhs for immediate
restoration of the damages.
 13
COIMBATORE DISTRICT

Due to sudden floods caused by the rains of North-East monsoon in November, 2002
irrigation wells, horticultural crops, highway roads, panchayat union roads, Tamil Nadu Electricity
Board transformers and pipelines located in the area of Kolampalayam, Tholampalayam,
Kumarapalayam and Velliyankodu Panchayats in Coimbatore district were badly affected. The
horticulture crops raised in 25.79 hectares around the villages of Tholampalayam, Velliyankodu,
Thekkampatti, Kalampalayam, Thampadachanur, Uppiliyampalayam, Perur, Eddyarpalayam,
Madukkarai and Thondamuthur were also affected. Out of 112.515 km of highway roads in
Pollachy sub-division, 41 roads were damaged and two channels belonging to P.W.D. were also
damaged. The Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs. 46.60 lakhs for immediate restoration of
damages.

ERODE DISTRICT

The village panchayats and town panchayats of Erode, Nambiur, Gopichettipalayam,

Bhavani, Kodumudi, Thaalavadi, Sathyamangalam Panchayat Unions along with
Gopichettipalayam Municipality were badly affected due to heavy rain on 27.10.2002 and
28.10.2002. An average rainfall of 63.5 mm has been recorded in Erode district on these days.
This rain caused heavy damages to the roads, ponds and culverts. Further Kaalingarayan and
Ellathur Chettipalayam channels were also eroded. The Government have sanctioned sum of Rs.
78.93 lakhs from Calamity Relief Fund for immediate restoration of the damages.

TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT

Due to rains and winds in the month of April 2002 banana crops in an extent of 9.34.4
hectares numbering 17,142 were damaged in Sivanthipatti, Muthu villages in Palayankottai Taluk,
Periyakovilankulam village in Sankarankovil taluk, Gangaikondan village in Tirunelveli taluk, Puliyur
and Pattankurichi villages in Tenkasi taluk, Pulam I and II villages in Nanguneri taluk of Tirunelveli
district. The Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.38,000/- from Calamity Relief Fund to
grant relief for the damaged crops.

INSTALLATION OF HF/ VHF SETS IN COASTAL DISTRICTS

Considering the need to have a better communication system in Revenue Department and
to get immediate information regarding law and order, natural calamities etc, the Government have
decided to provide a two-way communication system to the Revenue Divisional Officers and
Collectors in their offices and at the residences of Collectors and District Revenue Officers and to
the vehicles of Revenue officials in 12 coastal districts in the first phase. This two-way
communication will be linked with the Office of the Special Commissioner and Commissioner of
Revenue Administration and Secretariat. The Government have sanctioned Rs.94.25 lakhs for
this purpose. The installation of VHF/HF sets is in progress. This work is being taken up with the
Consultancy services of M/s. ELCOT. The districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur,
Villupuram and Cuddalore, are taken up in the first phase for the installation of VHF/HF towers.
Action is being taken to complete the project before 30.6.2003.

2.11. DROUGHT

In Tamil Nadu, there was deficit rainfall during the past three consecutive years, i.e. 2000,
2001 and 2002. Against normal rainfall of 977 mm, the rainfall was 848 mm in 2000, 772.9 mm in
2001 and 745.7 mm in 2002 with deficit of 13 %, 21% and 24% respectively.

There was deficit rainfall in 7 districts in 2000, 16 districts in 2001 and 19 districts in 2002.
In particular, 7 districts, viz., Karur, Perambalur, the Nilgiris, Virudhunagar, Villupuram,
Kanniyakumari and Cuddalore have experienced deficit rainfall continuously all these three years.
 14
The 6 districts of Salem, Vellore, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Namakkal and Dindigul have
experienced deficit rainfall consecutively during the past two years.

Combating the Drinking Water Scarcity

Several District Collectors had brought to the notice of the Government that drought-like
situation with acute scarcity of water had been prevailing from the beginning of the year 2002. In
the months of March and April 2002, the Collectors of 15 districts sent proposals for allotment of
funds from the Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) to combat the drinking water problems in their districts.
The Government issued orders in the months of March and April sanctioning a sum of Rs.31.27
crores from CRF on the recommendation of the Special Commissioner and Commissioner of
Revenue Administration and the State Relief Commissioner. Out of the above amount, 6,215
drought relief works were taken up. In continuation of this, the Government issued orders allotting a
sum of Rs. 11.65 crores in the second phase to combat drinking water scarcity in 7 districts and
2,632 works were taken up with this amount. Subsequently, a sum of Rs. 4.97 crores was
sanctioned to 4 districts as additional allotment. In total a sum of Rs.47.89 crores were allotted in
the first and the second phases to the districts from the CRF to combat drinking water scarcity and
out of this amount 8,847 works were taken up and completed.

A review meeting of all Collectors was convened under the Chairmanship of the Hon'ble
Chief Minister on 30.07.02 to hear the views of the Collectors on drinking water scarcity, kuruvai
cultivation, condition of the cultivated crops and generation of employment opportunities,
consequent on the deficit rainfall during South West Monsoon in Tamil Nadu. After hearing the
views of the Collectors, the Government sanctioned a sum of Rs. 20 crores from CRF in the third
phase to all the districts except Chennai to augment the drinking water facilities. Thus, a sum of
Rs. 67.90 crores was allotted in three phases to the districts to tackle drinking water scarcity. This
includes a sum of Rs.49.75 crores to Village Panchayats, Rs.10.94 crores to Town Panchayats and
Rs.7.21 crores to Municipalities and Corporations out of which 14,252 drinking water supply works
were taken up on war footing and completed.

Allotment from Members of Legislative Assembly Constitution Development Scheme

Apart from the above amount, considering the severity of the drinking water crisis, the
Government (in the G.O. Ms.No. 92, Rural Development, dt. 7.8.02) issued instructions to release a
sum of Rs.15 lakhs to each constituency from Members of Legislative Assembly Constitution
Development Scheme for drinking water supply works on priority basis to the Village and Town
Panchayats.

Kuruvai Cultivation

In the year 2002, due to poor storage position in Mettur Dam, water was not released on
the crucial date of 12.6.2002 for kuruvai cultivation in the Cauvery delta districts. As there was
deficit rainfall during southwest monsoon, the majority of farmers had not raised kuruvai crops in
the delta districts. As the normal agricultural operations were badly hit in the districts of
Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam areas, the Hon'ble Chief Minister announced on 24.6.2002
special schemes to the tune of Rs.164.16 crores to generate employment opportunities for the
landless agricultural labourers in these districts. The District Collectors and the heads of
Departments were instructed to give employment at least to one person in each family of landless
agricultural labourer and the affected farmers under these schemes.

In other districts of the cauvery delta also, kuruvai and other agriculture / horticulture
crops were badly affected due to drought. Due to the severity of the drought, coconut trees were
badly affected in 20 districts many of them wilting completely. In particular, yielding coconut trees
in the districts of Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode, Madurai, Salem and Tirunelveli districts were
 15
severely affected. The wet / dry crops and horticulture crops were also severely affected
throughout the State due to scarcity of water.

Memorandum on Drought to the Government of India

It was decided by the Government to seek funds from the National Calamity Contingency
Fund (NCCF) to tackle the drought situation prevailing in Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, a detailed
memorandum on drought was prepared requesting an allotment of Rs. 720 crores and 2 lakhs
metric tonnes of food grains for creation of employment opportunities and was sent to
Government of India in the first week of August 2002. In response, the Government of India sent
an Inter Ministerial Team of Officers to assess the drought situation prevailing in Tamil Nadu.

Visit of Central Team

The Central team consisting of higher officials from various departments under the
Chairmanship of Thiru Joginder Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation,
Government of India, arrived on 22.9.2002 to assess the drought situation prevailing in Tamil Nadu.
The team held discussions with the Hon'ble Chief Minister about the drought situation on
23.9.2002. They then divided themselves into four groups and inspected the drought affected
districts on 24.09.02 and 25.09.02. They inspected 15 of the drought affected districts of Tamil
Nadu, viz., Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Erode, Karur, Dindigul,
Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Tiruchi, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli. Then the
team held discussions with the officials of various departments on 26.09.02 and gathered detailed
information from them.

Request of Hon'ble Chief Minister to Government of India

After completion of inspection by the Central team, the Hon'ble Chief Minister sent a letter
to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 23.10.2002 informing that due to severe drought, at the end of
kuruvai season there will be a shortfall of about 12.32 lakh hectares in cultivation resulting in a
loss of Rs.3,200 crores in agricultural production, a loss of 21.84 crore mandays and a loss of Rs.
750 crores in hydro electricity production due to insufficient storage in the dams. Hence, taking
into consideration the prevailing drought situation in Tamil Nadu, the Hon'ble Chief Minister has
requested for an immediate relief assistance of Rs.187 crores towards compensation for the loss
of production in areas already sown, relief of Rs.98.13 crores towards loss of agricultural production
in areas not sown, relief of Rs. 60.99 crores for the withered coconut trees, Rs. 7.39 crores for
providing seeds and inputs to the farmers, Rs. 30 crores for fodder development and vaccines for
the cattle, Rs. 381.06 crores towards waiver of interest on loans to farmers from Co-operative
societies, Rs. 281.19 crores for creation of employment opportunities for the agriculturists and the
landless agricultural labourers, Rs. 75 crores for water supply, Rs. 100 crores for wasteland
development and Rs.325 crores as compensation to TNEB for the loss of electricity production.
Altogether, out of the amount Rs.1,545.76 crores from the NCCF, the Hon'ble Chief Minister has
requested for an assistance of Rs.1433.58 crores or Rs. 1,434 crores after deducting Rs.112.18
crores available in the Calamity Relief Fund and for the allotment of 5.5 lakh metric tonnes of food
grains for creation of employment opportunities.

Allotment of Relief Fund from the Government of India

Based on the report of the Central team, the Government of India has released a sum of
Rs. 228.30 crores from NCCF to Tamil Nadu towards drought relief as detailed below:

(Rs. in crores)
 16
1. Agriculture loss 20.77
2. Compensation to coconut trees 36.00
3. Compensation to uncultivated lands 91.53
4. Fodder for cattle 20.00
5. Provision of drinking water in rural areas 35.00
6. Provision of drinking water in urban areas 25.00
Total 228.30

After deducting the balance available in Calamity Relief Fund, the Government of India released
Rs.133.09 crores. This amount is being released to the affected persons.

Gift hamper to the farmers of Cauvery delta districts

As the Karnataka Government did not release water to Mettur Dam, kuruvai cultivation was
badly affected especially in Cauvery delta districts. As the area under Kuruvai cultivation came
down considerably due to inadequate water in delta districts for paddy cultivation, the landless
agricultural labourers were badly affected. Considering the drought situation in the delta districts,
the Hon'ble Chief Minister announced on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on 28.10.2002 that a
gift hamper worth of Rs. 210/-, consisting of 10 kg rice, 1 kg sugar, one coconut, 250 gm sweet,
vegetables for Rs.7, 100 gm ghee, 200 gm green gram dhal, 50 gm turmeric, 50 gm mustard, 50
gm dry chilly and Rs.50 cash, would be given to the families of landless agricultural labourers of
delta districts for celebration of Deepavali festival 2002. As per the announcement, nearly ten lakh
families of landless agricultural labourers of Cauvery delta districts were given the Deepavali Gift
Hampers.

Chief Minister Selvi. J Jayalalithaa Government's Special Noon Meal Scheme for Poor
Agricultural Families

Due to the failure of both the southwest and northeast monsoons in 2002, the families of
poor landless agricultural labourers and small and marginal farmers were affected. In order to
give immediate relief to them, the Government implemented a Special Noon Meal Scheme in 28
districts (all districts, except Chennai) from the Pongal day i.e 15.01.2003. The objective of the
scheme was to feed the affected landless agricultural labourers and small and marginal farmers
through the 26,074 Rural Noon Meal Centres functioning under the Social Welfare Department.
The responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries was vested with the President of Panchayat or the
Town Panchayat and the Village Administrative Officer. Every beneficiary enrolled was given
printed coupons every week. On the inaugural day of the Scheme, Sweet Pongal was
distributed to all the beneficiaries. As on 4.02.2003, more than 14.03 lakh landless agricultural
labourers and small and marginal farmers had benefited from this Scheme.

Scheme of Free Distribution of Rice to the Agricultural Families affected by Drought

As the beneficiaries availing the Chief Minister’s Special Mid-day Meal Scheme expressed
certain difficulties that they had to walk a long distance to the Noon meal centre, the Hon’ble
Chief Minister has announced on the floor of the Legislative Assembly on 31.01.2003 the decision
to issue 30 kg of free rice per family per month in two fortnightly instalments (15 kgs per fortnight)
for the beneficiary families already enrolled in the Special Noon Meal Scheme. Accordingly, free
rice is being issued to drought affected agricultural families throughout the State except Chennai
District from 5.02.03.

Declaration of Tamil Nadu State as Drought affected

There was deficit rainfall in the State during the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Owing to
this, water level in 10 out of 16 major irrigation reservoirs in Tamil Nadu was much less than the
full capacity, i.e only 16% of the full capacity. Further, 90% of the small and medium irrigation
 17
sources in Tamil Nadu had actually dried up. Therefore, the kuruvai crop was raised only in
13.979 lakh hectares of land out of the normal area of 24.89 lakh hectares. Particularly in
Cauvery delta districts, kuruvai crop was raised only in an extent of 0.512 lakh hectares against the
actual cultivable area of 2.074 lakh hectares and the remaining 1.562 lakh hectares were left
uncultivated. Similarly, samba and thaladi crops were also raised only in a limited extent much less
than the normal area. This will cause considerable reduction in the agricultural production. As
there is depletion of ground water level in all the districts, the acute drinking water scarcity is
anticipated in near future. Though a sum of Rs. 142 crore has been released from the Calamity
Relief Fund to tackle the severe drinking water crisis, the situation may worsen further in the
coming months. It is also expected that there will be shortage of fodder for the two crores cattle.
Hence, the Government have declared all the districts in the State except Chennai as drought
affected on 24.1.03

The Visit of the Central Team (28.01.2003 - 01.02.2003)

An Inter-Ministerial Central team headed by Thiru Ashish Bahuguna, Joint Secretary,

Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Government of India, New Delhi, with the higher
officials of various departments of Government of India as members, arrived on 28.01.2003 to
assess the drought situation prevailing in Tamil Nadu and to review the implementation of relief
works undertaken with the amount already released by the Government of India. The team visited
Dharmapuri, Salem, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, some of the drought affected districts,
from 28.01.2003 to 31.01.2003 and reviewed the situation. The team held discussions with the
Hon'ble Chief Minister on 31.01.2003. The Hon'ble Chief Minister presented the Drought
Memorandum 2003 to the Central Team on 01.02.03. The team has collected further information
after discussion with the officers of various departments on 01.02.2003.

Additional Demand by Hon'ble Chief Minister from Government of India

In the memorandum submitted, the Government of India has been requested to release a
sum of Rs.419.55 crores towards compensation for loss of production in areas already sown,
Rs.144.53 crores towards compensation to the farmers for loss of agricultural production in unsown
areas, Rs.240.54 crores towards waiver of short and medium term loans for the current year,
Rs.408.09 crores towards waiver of interest on loans to farmers from Co-operative societies,
Rs.162 crores for generation of employment for the agriculturists and landless agricultural
labourers, Rs.239.56 crores for implementation of drinking water supply schemes (including the
requirement of Chennai Metrowater), Rs.345 crores as compensation to TNEB for the loss of
electricity production, Rs.101.70 crores towards the amount required for implementing the Free
Rice Scheme to the poor agricultural families, Rs.18.48 crores for the relief works to be taken up
by the Animal Husbandry Department and Rs.14.47 crores for the affected fishermen, altogether a
sum of Rs.2,094 crores was sought for as immediate drought relief from NCCF. Apart from this,
the Government of India have been requested to allot 9 lakh metric tonnes of additional food grains
for generation of employment opportunities.

Food for Work Programme

The Honourable Chief Minister has ordered the launch of a Special Relief Scheme to the
tune of Rs. 217.09 crores to alleviate the sufferings of farmers who lost their samba crop in the
Cauvery Delta Districts. A State Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Minister for Public
Works, Prohibition and Excise, & Revenue has been formed to implement the Scheme in an
effective way.
 18
The Government will implement a massive employment generation programme at
a cost of Rs.341.92 crores in all the 28 drought affected districts. This special Food For Work
programme would have cash and rice components to be given as wages. The total allocation for
the cash component is Rs.85.48 crores. Rice valued at Rs. 256.44 crores would also be given to
the beneficiaries.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister announced on the floor of the Assembly on 28.3.2003 that full
remission of land revenue, local cess and local cess surcharge will be given for the fasli 1412 in the
drought affected districts. The farmers who have lost their crops during the Kuruvai and Samba
will be given a compensation at the rate of Rs. 1,000/- per hectare for the rainfed crops, Rs. 2,500
per hectare for irrigated crops and Rs. 4,000/- per hectare for perennial crops, for those farmers
whose crops has suffered a loss of 50% or more during Kuruvai or Samba. Those farmers who
normally raise their crops but, have not raised any crop due to drought during Kuruvai or Samba,
will be compensated at 50% of the scale mentioned above. It is expected that the total
compensation will be in the order of Rs. 250 crores. The Hon'ble Chief Minister also announced
that for the small and marginal farmers, the entire interest due for the current year's short term
Co-operative loan will also be waived.

Relief Sanctioned so far from the Calamity Relief Fund for Drought Relief Works in the State
of Tamil Nadu

The Government have so far sanctioned a sum of Rs.272.85 crores during the current
financial year (2002 – 2003) from Calamity Relief Fund / National Calamity Contingency Fund to
tackle the drought situation in the State.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A State Level Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to Government
and five Sub-Groups as indicated below under the convenorship of Secretaries to Government
concerned have been constituted for the preparation of Disaster Management plans at State and
District levels to deal with all kinds of disasters including manmade:-

(1)Water and climate related disasters (2) Geological disasters (3) Chemical/ Industrial
Nuclear disasters (4) Accident related disasters and (5) Biological disasters.

The Disaster Management Plan on "Accident related disasters " has been finalised. Other
Disaster Management Plans are in the process of finalisation.

2.12. WELFARE SCHEMES

Family Distress Relief Scheme.

A financial assistance of Rs.10,000/- is disbursed to the bereaved families of poor

households who lost their bread winners and suffer loss of income. This amount is entirely met by
the Government of India under their National Family Benefit Scheme, which is a component
Scheme of National Social Assistance Programme. The annual family income from all sources
should not exceed Rs.7,200/- for sanction of relief amount under this scheme.

The details of financial assistance sanctioned under this scheme from 1996-97 to 2001-
2002 are given in the Annexure-4. From the Financial Year 2002-2003, the Government of India
took a policy decision to provide requisite flexibility to the States in the choice and implementation
and accordingly funds will be released as Additional Central Assistance.

Accident Relief Scheme

 19
The Government of Tamil Nadu is providing financial assistance to the families of
persons belonging to 44 poor occupational categories who meet with an accident while in the
course of their employment in which bodily injury or death is caused. In the event of death, the
families of accident victims are given a financial assistance of Rs.15,000/-. Out of this amount, a
sum of Rs.10,000/- is borne by the Government of India under their National Family Benefit
Scheme, which is a component scheme of National Social Assistance Programme. The remaining
amount of Rs.5.000/- is met by the State Government. The Accident Victims are provided with an
assistance between Rs.7,500/- and Rs. 15,000/- depending upon the degree of physical
impairment.

The details of financial assistance sanctioned under the scheme from 1996-97 to 2001-
2002 are given in the Annexure -5. From the financial year 2002-2003, the Government of India
took a policy decision to provide requisite flexibility to the States in the choice and implementation
and accordingly, funds will be released as Additional Central Assistance.

CHAPTER -3
LAND ADMINISTRATION

Revenue Department is the custodian of all lands and it is concerned with the disposal of
all Government lands. The lands are classified based on their usage. The main classification are
Natham Poramboke, Assessed Waste(dry), Assessed Waste(wet), Unassessed Waste(dry), Water
course Poramboke, viz., Kuttai, Kulam, Odai, River, Meichal Poramboke, Mandaveli Poramboke,
Thope, Pathai, Vandi Pathai, Kallanguthu, Temple Poramboke and Mayanam Poramboke. The
Government lands are allotted by way of assignment, transfer, alienation and lease. Due to
pausity of lands, great care is taken in granting Government Land.

3.1. ASSIGNMENT OF LAND

Government lands are assigned for house site and agricultural purposes.

Assignment of House sites

 20
In order to uplift the economically weaker sections and providing basic amenities
to them, Government assign house sites to eligible persons in the urban and rural areas under
Revenue Standing Order 21. Free assignment of house sites is given to those whose annual
income is below Rs.16,000/- in rural areas and Rs.24,000/- in Urban areas. To promote the Welfare
of women, all assignments are made only in the name of the wife or the women members of the
family. An extent of 3 cents in villages, one and a half cents in Municipal limits and one cent of land
in Corporation limits is assigned as per the existing rules.

The Government have permitted the assignees to mortgage the house sites with the
Nationalised banks also for availing credit under credit-cum-subsidy scheme of Rural Housing
Schemes viz. Indira Awaas Yojana and Prime Minister Gramodaya Yojana to construct houses in
the assigned lands.

The order of preference in the allotment of house sites is given below:

(i) Families of Defence personnel including Border Security Force, Territorial Army Personnel
etc. killed in action or disabled.
(ii) Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes.
(iii) Released Bonded Labourers.
(iv) Ex-Servicemen.
(v) Serving Army Personnel.
(vi) Landless Poor.

The following are the powers of Revenue Officers in the matter of house site assignments.
Officers Monetary limit

(1) Tahsildar Rs.10,000/-

(2) Revenue Divisional Officer Rs. 20,000/-
(3) District Revenue Officer Rs. 50,000/-
(4) District Collector Rs.2,00,000/-
(5) Commissioner of Land Rs.2,50,000/-
Administration
(6) Government Above Rs.2,50,000/-

During 2002-2003, a target of 30,000 house pattas has been fixed for the State as a whole.
Against this, 63,339 house site pattas have been issued upto 31.01.2003. The details are
furnished in the Annexure -6.

Assignment of Cultivable Lands

Land suitable for Agriculture is one of the essential factors of production and it continues to
be of great importance in our economy. As the poor people in the villages are mostly dependent
on Agriculture for their livelihood, the Government pursue the policy of assigning land to the poor
on priority basis, so that the twin purposes of helping the poor to take up agriculture and allied
activities as their occupation and to utilise the land resources effectively are achieved in full
measure. Lands for agriculture are assigned under the provisions contained in the Revenue
Standing Order 15. Free assignment is given to those families whose annual income is below
Rs.16,000/- in rural areas and Rs. 24,000/- in urban areas irrespective of the size of the family.
The order of preference for assignment of land for Agriculture is the same as in the case of house
site assignment.

As the pressure on the Government land available for cultivation increases, the
Government strive to distribute the land to as many poor persons as possible so that the land is
equitably available for the poor. Hence, the Government have fixed a ceiling on the extent of land
that may be assigned to a poor person. In all districts, except Kanniyakumari, the extent of land
 21
assigned by the Government together with the land already owned by the assignee should not
exceed 3 acres of dry land or 1.5 acres of wet land. In Kanniyakumari district, the maximum extent
that can be held after assignment is one acre of dry land or 0.50 acres of wet land, as the lands in
that District are limited and more valuable. To promote the welfare of women, the assignments are
made only in the name of wife or women members of the family. The details are furnished in
Annexure -7.

The Government grant assignment free of cost for rehabilitating the poor people. Assigned
lands should be brought under cultivation within a period of three years from the date of
assignment. Some assignees are not utilising the lands for the purpose for which the lands were
granted to them, but have sold the lands converting them as house sites. To curb this practice,
the lands are assinged on the condition that the lands should not be sold or alienated for a
minimum period of 10 years and even after 10 years, prior permission of the government is
required for disposal of the land. However, they can hypothecate the lands with nationalised Banks
for the purpose of getting loan for cultivation. Cultivation should be done by the assignee himself or
by the member of his family or by hired labour and not otherwise. Besides this, the assignee
should plant at least 10 trees in the assigned lands. In case of violation of conditions of
assignment, the lands are liable to be resumed without payment of any compensation.

Lands reserved for communical purpose should be preserved. The Government have,
therefore, banned assignment of all water course porambokes like tanks, ponds, canals, streams
etc., and also mandaiveli, grazing ground porambokes and burial ground lands. In order to prevent
soil erosion and to maintain the ecological balance, the assignment of lands for cultivation in all
hilly areas of the state has been banned. As Government is in need of lands in and around
major cities for development schemes of various departments, assignment in Chennai and its belt
areas and in Corporation limits has been banned.

The Government have also delegated powers to revenue officers for assignment of
cultivable lands as in the case of house site assignments with the monetary limits as follows:-

Officers Monetary Limit

(1) Tahsildar Rs. 10,000/-

(2) Revenue Divisional Officer Rs. 20,000/-
(3) District Revenue Officer Rs. 50,000/-
(4) District Collector Rs. 2,00,000/-
(5) Commissioner of Land Administration Rs. 2,50,000/-
(6) Government Above Rs. 2,50,000/-

3.3.LAND LEASE

Allotment of lands is made to individuals, private bodies, Companies and Local bodies on
lease basis for a specified period, under Revenue Standing Order 24-A. The lease rent is levied
based on the land cost. The existing rates of lease rent are indicated below:-

Purpose Lease Local Local Cess Total

rent Cess Surcharge
Commercial 2% 2% 10% 14%
Non Commercial 1% 1% 5% 7%

The normal period of lease is 3 years at a time. However, the maximum period of lease granted
on any Government land is 30 years. The lease rent is revisable once in 3 years. The monetary
powers of Revenue Officers for leasing out Government lands are indicated below:-
 22
Officers Monetary limit

(1) Tahsildar Nil

(2) Revenue Divisional Officer - Upto Rs. 20,000
(3) Collector/District Revenue Officer - Upto Rs. 50,000
(4) Commissioner of Land Administration - Upto Rs.2,00,000
(5) Government - Above Rs.2,00,000

A new condition has been incorporated in the lease deed to the effect that whenever the
lease is to be renewed on its period of expiry, the lessee shall pay the lease amount, which may be
tentatively arrived at by adding the provisional increase to the lease amount by adopting land
value prevailing at that point of time, till the renewal / revision of rent. This new condition will help
the authorities to collect lease rent pending renewal of such lease cases thereby avoiding locking
up of amount due to Government along with interest.

3.4. TRANSFER OF LAND

Government Poramboke lands are transferred to the Central Government Departments

under Revenue Standing Order 23 usually on collection of market value. But free allotment is
made for the Mass Rapid Transit System at Chennai. Land is transferred free of cost to the State
Government Departments under the provision contained in Revenue Standing Order 23A for non-
commercial purposes like School buildings, Hospitals, Primary Health Centers, etc. Collection of
land value is ordered for commercial purposes. The Collectors are empowered to transfer small
extents of unobjectionable poramboke lands free of cost to Departments like Transport, Health,
Education and Police for their use. When the lands allotted to the departments are not fully utilized
for the purpose for which they were transferred such lands are resumed and allotted to other needy
departments.

3.5. ALIENATION OF LAND

Poramboke lands are alienated to Government undertakings, local bodies, Universities,

Information Technology parks, other Industrial establishments etc., under Revenue Standing Order
24 for public purposes with a view to promoting the general welfare of the society, subject to certain
conditions. Such lands are alienated free of cost to the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board for
construction of slum tenements and on collection of a nominal value of Rs.5,000/- per ground for
other purposes. Lands are alienated free of cost to Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board and
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. In respect of other requisitioning bodies,
lands are alienated on collection of single market value or more. Lands are alienated to Transport
Corporations for establishment of Bus Terminals and Passenger Bus Stands on collection of 50%
of market value. In respect of Information Technology industries, alienation is done on collection of
market value. Alienated lands are liable to be resumed without compensation by the Government,
if there is violation of the conditions of alienation.

3.6. EVICTION OF ENCROACHMENTS

Land is a rare precious commodity. Hence, available lands should be put to best use like
assignments to eligible poor and used for other development schemes and public purposes.
Encroachment on Government lands which are not earmarked for specific public purposes may be
treated as unobjectionable. They are eligible for regularisation according to the nature of
encroachments in the order of priority. Encroachments on water sources/ courses/ grazing
grounds/ temple lands/ Kalam etc., are considered highly objectionable and have to be evicted.
The authorities of Revenue, Public Works and Highways Departments and local bodies like
Municipalities and Corporations have been empowered to evict unauthorised encroachments after
giving due notice under the Tamil Nadu Land Encroachment Act, 1905.
 23

A Committee has been constituted at District level under the Chairmanship of the District
Collector consisting of the following members for taking action to evict the encroachments within a
specified period:-

1. Collector -- Chairperson
2. Police (District level Officers) -- Member
3. Public Works Department (Concerned -- Member
Executive Engineer of the District Water
Resources)
4. Highways- Divisional Engineer -- Member
5. Forest-District Forest Officer -- Member
6. District Revenue Officer -Member Secretary.
7. Assistant Director (Rural Development) -- Member
8. Assistant Director ( Town Panchayats) -- Member
9. Regional Director (Municipal Administration) -- Member
10. Commissioner (Corporation) -- Member
11. Managing Director or his representative of
Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board -- Member

The Committee will meet once in a month and prepare a programme to evict the encroachments.
The action of the above committee is reviewed by the Special Commissioner and Commissioner of
Land Administration at State level. The Government intends to bring in a now encroachment Act
soon.

3.7. TREE PATTA SCHEME

The Tree Patta Scheme is under implementation in the State for several decades. Under
this scheme, the usufructs of the trees standing on the Government poramboke lands are granted
to the adjacent land owners or other persons who can take care of the trees. But, the rights over
the trees as well as the land, however continue to vest with the Government. Women belonging to
depressed classes are given preference under the Tree Patta Scheme.

3.8. LAND ACQUISITION

Patta Lands are acquired for various Public Purposes on behalf of the Central and the
State Governments under the provisions of Land Acquisition Act 1894 (Act 1/1894) and the rules
framed thereunder. In effect the process of Land Acquisition is carried out in strict conformity with
the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. The Land Acquisition is an important work of the
Revenue Officials. This work is being carried out through effective co-ordination between the Land
Acquisition machinery drawn from the District Revenue unit and monitored/guided by the Land
Administration Department. Total duration allowed in the Land Acquisition Act to complete the
Land Acquisition process is 3 years under ordinary clause. The lands can also be acquired under
urgency provision under sections 17 (i) and (2) (ii) of Land Acquisition, Act 1894. In order to
accelerate and complete the land acquisition process within a reasonable time limit, the
Government had already evolved a “PERT chart”, allowing the time limit of 563 days in
objectionable cases and 508 days in unobjectionable cases. Likewise the total time limit allowed
under the PERT chart to complete the Land Acquisition process under the urgency clauses is 180
days.

In G.O.(Ms).No.364, Revenue Department, dated 21.9.2001 the Government have

enhanced the monetary limit for Tahsildars/Special Tahsildars and Revenue Divisional
Officers/Deputy Collectors for approval of valuation as follows:-
 24

Name of the Monetary limit Monetary limit ordered

Officer ordered in G.O.Ms. in G.O.Ms.No. 364,
No.65, Revenue Revenue Dept., dated
dept., dt. 23.1.95 21.9.2001

Tahsildar Upto Rs.50,000/- Upto Rs.2,50,000

(Rupees Fifty (Rupees Two lakhs and
Thousand only) fifty thousand only) in
respect of objectionable
and unobjectionable
cases

Revenue Above Rs.50,000 Above Rs.2,50,000/-

Divisional upto Rs.1,00,000/- upto Rs.7,50,000/- in
Officer/Deputy (Rupees fifty respect of objectionable
Collector thousand to one and unobjectionable
lakh only) cases.

As per G.O.(Ms).No. 1027, Revenue Department, dated 25.9.92, Collectors are

empowered for approval of the valuation and award upto Rs.20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty lakhs).
The Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Land Administration is empowered to approve the
valuation and award above Rs.20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty lakhs only)

In private negotiation, lands upto the value of Rs.20 lakhs can be purchased from the land
owners by the District Level Committee and by the State Level Committee when the value is
above Rs.20 lakhs. Both the District and State Level Committees have been conferred with powers
for approval of the negotiated price upto 150% of the Market value (or) Guideline value, whichever
is lower. Purchasing lands through private negotiation is helpful in speedy acquisition of lands.

The Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997 (Tamil Nadu Act
10/1999) was enacted by the Government separately in order to acquire land quickly required for
industries. The said Act and the rules framed thereunder came into force with effect from
21.9.2001

CHAPTER-4
SURVEY AND LAND RECORDS AND MAINTENANCE

4.1. ABOLITION OF INTERMEDIARIES AND

CONVERSION INTO RYOTWARI TENURES

After Independence, the Government introduced the following Acts with a view to bring
large scale agrarian reforms, thereby abolishing intermediaries between the Government and the
Ryots:-

(a) The Tamil Nadu Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948 (Tamil
Nadu Act, 26/48)

(b) The Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963 (Tamil
Nadu Act, 26/63)
 25
(c) The Tamil Nadu Leaseholds (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act,
1963 (Tamil Nadu Act, 27/63)

(d) The Tamil Nadu Minor Inams (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963 (Tamil
Nadu Act, 30/63)

(e) The Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari)
Act, 1969 (Tamil Nadu Act, 24/1969)

(f) The Tamil Nadu Levy of Ryotwari Assessment of Free holds Lands Act, 1973 (Tamil
Nadu Act, 31/73)

The works in all the above Acts which were introduced with a view to usher in agrarian
reforms have been completed except in the case of Act, 24/1969.

Certain Janmam landholders filed writ petitions before the High Court challenging the
applicability of the Act 24/1969 to their lands. These writ petitions were dismissed. A few have
filed Civil Appeals before the Supreme Court of India. Recently, in the Civil Appeals and writ
appeals filed by Tvl. Manju Shree Plantations and others the request of the petitioners to allow
them to withdraw their appeals submitting that they shall pursue the applications they have already
made to the State Government for issue of suitable orders, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India,
accepting the prayer of the petitioners, dismissed the appeals as withdrawn with a direction to State
Government to dispose of their applications under Sections 9 or 17 of the said Act. On the civil
appeal No.1344/45/1976 filed by Thiru I.R. Coclho and two others, the Hon'ble Supreme Court
ordered to refer to a large bench consisting of 9 Judges to decide the question of Constitutional
validity of inclusion of the Act, 24/1969. A Settlement Officer was appointed in G.O.(Ms).No.3763,
Public department dated 5.9.2001 to issue suitable orders in the cases where stay has been
vacated . The Government issued notification in this regard. Now, measurement work is being
carried out. The Statutory enquiries will be carried out.

Rules have been framed in all Estates Abolition Acts for payment of compensation to the
land holders, tasdic allowance in the case of charitable and Educational Institutions.
Compensation is paid to the landholders in one lumpsum by depositing the amounts with the
Tribunals. Tasdic allowance is paid through District Revenue Officers concerned. Fund is
allocated every year for this purpose. (Annexure -8)

4.2. PATTA PASS BOOK SCHEME

The Tamil Nadu Patta Pass Book Act, 1983 (Act 4/86), provides for issue of Patta Pass
Book to holders of agricultural land. The Patta Pass Book, as evidence of ownership, will enable
the financial institution, Co-operative Banks and other commercial Banks to sanction loan without
insisting on encumbrance certificate.

A Patta Pass Book is being issued to each pattadar indicating the details of all the lands
owned by him in the taluk. All the details of land holdings held by a pattadar in different villages
within the particular taluk will be entered in the Patta Pass Book. The loans granted by the Credit
agencies, with or without security according to the eligibility and the details of repayment etc. are
registered in the Patta Pass Book. The Patta Pass Book has to be produced at the time of
registration of any deed in the Sub-Registrar's office so as to enable him to make entries thereon
with the recommendation of taluk Tahsildar. In cases of land dispute it provides for the petitioner
to produce certified copy of Patta Pass Book or the Patta Pass Book relevant to such land for
support. The scheme has been implemented in phase -I in 9 districts with effect from 1.4.1993 in
vellore, Thanjavur, Karur (2taluks), Perambalur, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Theni, Madurai and
Thoothukudi. Sections 5, 9, and 15 of the Patta Pass Book Act have also been brought into force
with effect from 15.6.2000 in the above 9 districts.
 26

As a follow up, in Phase II this scheme has been brought into force in all the remaining 20
districts with effect from 1.7.2000. For implementation of the scheme the Government have
ordered to utilise the services of the existing revenue and survey staff as no additional staff was
sanctioned. The Statutary forms which are mentioned in the Patta Pass Book Act have been
supplied to the concerned districts. The Government have decided to issue computerised Patta
Pass Book and sanctioned Rs.18.93 crores. Out of which Rs.10 lakhs has been placed to the
ELCOT. The work of printing and computerising of Patta Pass Book is entrusted to ELCOT. Field
work and enquiry works are in progress in Phase II districts.

4.3.SURVEY AND LAND RECORDS

The Survey and Land Records Department is responsible for undertaking Survey, Re-
Survey and Supplementary Survey in Rural and Urban areas in Tamil Nadu.

The Department also compiles District maps, Taluk maps, Village maps and Town maps.
In addition to this, the Department publishes maps of blocks and wards comprised in Towns
showing individual land/Field boundaries and also prepares composite maps for the Panchayats,
Street field atlases etc. This Department is mainly responsible for maintaining the land records
updating the changes in the account of land sale, and partition. Besides this Department helps to
various developmental activities of the Government, the works such as rendering services to the
general public in knowing their boundaries, making necessary changes in the Revenue Accounts
and furnishing sketches are also being carried out by this Department.

NATHAM SURVEY

Natham poramboke is different from other porambokes such as river, Eri and cattle pound
etc., set apart for public utility. Therefore, the work relating to Survey of the Land which was used
for Non-Agricultural purpose was carried out in Natham areas. The Streets, Roads, and Lanes
within each Natham have also been surveyed.

Sl.No. Details Taluk

1 Total No. of Taluks 206
2 Taken up for Land Survey Work 198
3 Completed 192
4 Under progress of work 6
5 To be taken up for Land Survey 8

So far an area of 4,467 sq.km. has been surveyed.

TOWN SURVEY

In Tamil Nadu, there are 102 Municipalities and 6 Municipal Corporations. Consequent on
the conversion of Agricultural Lands into Housing Colonies and Industrial Units, the areas of
Municipalities and Corporations were expanded and change was occurred in their boundaries. The
Town Survey work was commenced in 1896 and completed in 1966. However, even the I Phase
Land Survey work was not completed in many Municipalities through these works. The Town
Survey work was carried out in the areas where the buildings were built long ago. Now all the
Cities are expanded. Therefore, expanded Town Survey work was carried out in Towns.

Sl.No. Details Municipality Corporation

1 Total 102 6
 27
2 Taken up for land survey 83 6
3 Completed 80 3
4 Work under progress 3 3
5 To be taken up for land 19 -
survey

Town Survey work has been completed in 1,738 sq.km so far.

SURVEY OF HILL VILLAGES

The Land Survey was carried out during the year 1899-1910 in 66 Hill villages in Vellore,
Thiruvannamalai, Trichy, Salem, Namakkal and Coimbatore Districts. These records which were
prepared long ago have become damaged and useless. Moreover, Waste lands were not
surveyed. Therefore, the lands of Tribal people have not been registered for the land possession.
In order to register the belongings of the Tribal people particularly in these lands, Hill area survey
was carried out in the following 6 Districts.

1 Vellore Elagiri Hills

Javadi Hills
2 Thiruvannamalai Javadi Hills
3 Trichy Pachamalai
4 Salem Pachamalai
Arunuthumalai
5 Namakkal Kollimalai
6 Coimbatore Anamalai Hills

An area of 858 Sq.k.m.Land has been surveyed under Hill village survey.

4.4. MAINTENANCE OF REVENUE RECORDS

The Survey staff in the Maintenance wing are attending to the day to day changes in the
Revenue Records. It is also the responsibility of the Survey staff to make new sub-divisions in
lands that take place due to transfer, sale, gift, exchange, relinquishment by private persons,
assignment, acquisition etc., and that they also help in pointing out the field boundaries to the
owner of the property as per the document at request and on payment of the prescribed fee. In
addition, various kinds of maps such as Village maps, Taluk maps, District maps, Tourist maps and
Road maps are also made available to the public on payment of a nominal fee in the Central
Survey Office at Chennai.

4.5.PRINTING FACILITIES

A Photo Zinco Press attached to the Central Survey Office, Chennai, prints maps in Black
and White and six other colours.

Modern techniques are being adopted for preparation of maps through "Photo Zinco or
Offset Process". The department has already introduced modern methods by introducing new
gadgets like Photo Copying Machines, Plan Printers, N.C. Scriber, Laminating Machines, Computer
System etc., for taking copies of maps.

4.6.COMPUTERISED CARTOGRAPHIC CENTRE (CCC)

A Computerized Cartographic Centre has been established at Chennai which is fully

equipped with computers and peripherals. Preparation of Inter State Boundary Maps, Scanning
 28
and Storage of Village Maps, Maps showing water resources in Tamil Nadu and other
special items of work are undertaken in the Computerized Cartographic Centre.

4.7. COMPUTERIZATION OF LAND RECORDS (CLR)

Tamil Nadu Infosystem on Land Records And Management (TAMIL NILAM), the
computerisation of Land Records (CLR) Programme was initiated as a Centrally Sponsored
Scheme of the Government of India on 100% financial assistance.

The main component of the programme is computerization of the alphanumeric data of the
permanent village records contained in 'A' Register and 10(1) Chitta. Once computerized data
base of these permanent village record are created, it will be possible to maintain the land records
up to date, reduce the land disputes and the public will be able to access extracts of the land
records online.

For data entry, site preparation and infrastructure development, the Government of India
sanctioned Rs.513.00 lakhs. Likewise the Government of India released a sum of Rs.714.00 lakhs
for equipping all the 206 taluks in the State with computer hardware and peripherals. All the 206
Taluks have been Computerized with this financial assistance. Action is being taken to
computerize the data entry and get it implemented.

Accordingly, data entry in respect of all the 17,246 villages have been completed. The
process of validating the above data and updating the same are under progress. Initially it was
proposed to make 29 model taluks (one taluk in each district) on-line and gradually to extend to the
rest of the taluks and as on 31.1.2003, 50 taluks have been brought on-line and they are fully
operational in the transaction mode. All the taluks are expected to be brought on-line before
1.7.2003.

4.8. TOUCH SCREEN COMPUTER KIOSKS (TSCK)

In order to improve the administration-public interface and to bring administration closer to

the public, a model taluk per district was selected and the Government ordered to establish Touch
Screen Computer Kiosks in 29 Taluks. The Hon'ble Chief Minister inaugurated Touch Screen
Computer Kiosk in Andipatti taluk of Theni District on 15.4.2002. Likewise Touch Screen
Computer Kiosks is functioning in other 28 Taluks from 15.4.2002 onwards. As on 17.3.2003,
48,232 persons have used the facility. A sum of Rs.15,81,214 has been collected through this.
The Information relating to lands, 'A' Register and Chitta and the details of various Welfare
schemes of Government such as Old Age Pension, Guideline value, Birth and Death Certificates
are known through this Touch Screen Computer Kiosk. The Collectors have been requested to
ensure wide publicity about these facilities through Press meets, Cinema slides, Cable TV and
distribution of pamphlets etc. Extension of Touch Screen Computer Kiosk to the remaining 177
taluks at a cost of Rs.415.95 lakhs is being taken up this year.

4.9. TRAINING

Under the Computerisation of Land Records Scheme it has been decided to impart
Computer Training to the staff and a sum of Rs.68.36 lakhs has been allocated to impart training to
8,500 staff. Accordingly, training under computer operation and handling of Software, training was
imparted to 8,356 personnel on computer basics, and advanced training was given to 782
personnel at the rate of 40 personnel per taluk through this training centre.

In view of the changes that take place every now and then in the field of Information
Technology, it is felt essential to train the personnel effectively. Moreover, it has also been
proposed to train all the remaining personnel in the taluks on an on-going basis. The Government
 29
of India have released an additional amount of Rs.103.00 lakhs for imparting training to
Revenue officials as proposed.

4.10. DIGITIZATION OF FIELD MEASUREMENT BOOKS

The aim of this Scheme is to make Computerisation of two sets of data namely 'A' Register
and Chitta and graphical data as in the Cadastral maps. Every change in the land record is
carried out in the field level survey maps. Hence, at any point of time the map reflects accurately
the situation obtaining in the field. In these circumstances, computerizing the non-graphical land
records alone without capturing the map data on the computer would defeat the very purpose of the
Computerisation of Land Records programme. Therefore, as the 'A' Register and Chitta Records of
village records are only Computerised now it becomes necessary to computerise the Geographical
Information System. Hence, the programme of digitization of cadastral maps (FMBs) was taken up
under two pilot projects covering four taluks namely Chengalpattu, Kodavasal, Erode and
Gobichettipalayam with the 100% financial assistance from the Government of India to the tune of
Rs.124.36 lakhs under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Out of this amount a sum of Rs.122
lakhs has been spent so far and 1.22 lakhs Field maps have been computerized.

An evaluation of the efficacy of the two software packages that were tried in these pilot
projects was taken up and common specifications have been evolved and approved for extension
to other taluks in the State in phases. Proposals have been sent to Government of India for 100%
financial assistance for expansion of digitization of cadastral maps to all the remaining taluks in the
State at an estimated cost of Rs.26-28 crores.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)

In the Global Positioning System Land Survey work can be done very accurately. Survey
control points are established with Geo-coordinates and the data are directly transferred to a
personal computer and digital maps are generated. This process will yield highly accurate survey
field data. The Government of India have sanctioned a sum of Rs.120 lakhs for the survey work of
the Pilot Project of Global Positioning System. This includes 50% Central Government financial
assistance. The Computerisation of Field maps in Chengalpattu Taluk of Kancheepuram District
and Computerisation of the Land Records have been completed. The Pilot Project of Global
Positioning System was carried out there. This scheme introduces a new industrial technology for
this department. Five batches of personnel containing 30 persons are given Training in this
modern survey system.

STRENGTHENING OF REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

AND UPDATING OF LAND RECORDS

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Strengthening of Revenue Administration and

Updating of Land Records, the Government have received financial assistance, to the tune of
Rs.1,092 lakhs from Government of India from 1989 to 2002. Out of this amount, the State
Government have sanctioned 50% for plan expenses. The amount has been utilized for purchase
of modern equipments, strengthening of training infrastructure and construction of building etc. A
sum of Rs.841.93 lakhs has been incurred under this scheme so far.

TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE (C.STAR)

A Survey Training Institute is functioning at Orathanadu in Thanjavur District. Land Survey

Training and Training of Transfer of Registry are imparted to the officers of Revenue Department,
Deputy Collector who are on training, Assistant Collectors (I.A.S.) who are on training and the
officers of the other departments. The special training such as Photography, Cartography are
imparted to eligible persons. The Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.127.03 lakhs for the
 30
establishment of the institute with higher technology in Anna University,Chennai, to
impart training to the Land Survey staff for surveying the land with the modern technological
instruments.

The objects of this Training Institute are as follows:-

To carry out training, research and developmental activities in the areas of cadastral survey
and related fields.

To impart training to personnel of Survey and Land Records Department (SLRD)

Guiding SLRD in the process of modernization.

This HI-TECH training institute is to be functioned under the guidance of Executive Council
with the name of C STAR. The Vice Chancellor of Anna University as the Chairman of the institute,
seven Committee Officers (four officers representing Government and three representing the Anna
University) are functioning as members of this Institute. The Executive Committee has selected
and recommended the Professor of The Anna University for appointment as a Director in the
C.STAR. Moreover, proposals have been sent to Government of India for sanction of a sum of
Rs.250 lakhs under the financial assistance of 50:50 basis of Central Government for this training
institute.

4.12.INTER STATE BOUNDARY JOINT VERIFICATION

Joint verification of the newly formed boundaries in between Tamil Nadu and adjoining
States due to Reorganisation of Linguistic States in 1956 is being done. Whenever the joint
verification has been carried out, it has to be recognised by the respective States. The joint
verification of boundary is done every 10 years.

The work involved and completed so far is as follows:

Tamil Nadu-Kerala 830.1 kms spread over in 24 stretches. Out of this, 217.4 kms length of
boundary has already been covered and fair set of records ratified by both the Governments. For
12.0 Kms length, fair set of records have been sent to Government of Kerala for ratification. For
294.7 Kms lengths, scrutiny of records has been completed. Joint verification is in progress in 56.4
Kms length.The remaining 249.6 Kms length has to be taken for joint verification.

Tamil Nadu - Andhra - 578.8 Kms

Tamil Nadu - Karnataka - 481.0 Kms

The above mentioned Joint verification of the boundary of two States has not yet been taken up.
The orders of the Andhra and Karnataka Government are awaited in this regard. Tamil Nadu-
Pondicherry State stretch is spread over 353.8 Kms. The Joint verification has been completed in
279.2 Kms. The joint verification for 84.6 Kms stretch is yet to be taken up.

The meeting of the Commissioners of concerned departments at State Level is being

conducted during the month of March of every year and the meeting of Directors once in six
months.
 31

CHAPTER - 5
LAND REFORMS
With a view to reducing disparities in the ownership of agricultural lands and the
concentration of such lands in the hands of a few and to distribute such lands among the landless
poor, the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 (Tamil Nadu Act 58/61)
th
was enacted. The aforesaid Act came into effect on the 6 day of April, 1960, wherein the ceiling
limit for a family consisting of five members had been fixed as 30 standard acres. For every
additional member of the family consisting of more than five members, an additional extent of 5
standard acres was allowed in addition to the ceiling area of 30 standard acres, subject to the
overall ceiling 60 standard acres besides, 10 standard acres of "stridhana" for women. The
charitable trust which were in existence as on 1.3.1972 were allowed to hold 5 standard acres as
ceiling. All Trusts were prohibited to acquire agricultural lands after 1.3.1972. In order to have
more surplus lands, Government have reduced the ceiling limit step by step. As on date, 30
standard acres of land is the maximum extent of land that any family can hold in the State. Surplus
land over the ceiling limit is acquired for distribution among the landless poor in the order of
preference at the rate not exceeding 3 acres of dry land or 1.50 acres of wet lands under the
provisions of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Disposal of Surplus Land) Rules, 1965. The details of
total extent of lands declared surplus, assigned, number of beneficiaries, the details of SC/ST
beneficiaries; the details of the balance extent to be assigned and also extent covered under court
cases under the Land Reforms Act from its inception upto 28.2.2003 are given in Annexure 9,10 &
11 .

5.2.TENANCY LAWS

The Tamil Nadu Cultivating Tenants Protection Act, 1955 (Tamil Nadu Act 25/55)

This Act provides that no cultivating tenant shall be evicted from his holding except for non
payment of rent or doing any act which is injurious to the land or crops thereon, failure to cultivate
the land, using the land for any purpose other than agriculture or denial of the title of the land owner
to the land. No land can be resumed by the land owner (other than the persons belonging to armed
forces) except on the grounds mentioned above. Disputes between the land owner and tenants are
being settled by the Revenue Courts, presided over by Deputy Collectors. In the case of adverse
seasonal conditions such as drought and natural calamity like floods, the cultivating tenants were
given relief from time to time by postponing the collection by special enactment.

The Tamil Nadu cultivating Tenants (Payment of Fair Rent) Act, 1956 (Tamil Nadu Act 24
/56)

Under the provision of this Act, the Fair Rent payable by the cultivating tenant to the land
owner has been fixed as 25% of the gross produce. It may be either by cash or kind. Other
 32
expenses are met out by the cultivating Tenant except the Land Revenue which has to be paid
by the Land owners/trusts. Revenue Courts, presided over by Deputy Collector are deciding
disputes between the Land owners/Public Trusts and tenants on the quantum of fair rent payable
by the cultivating tenants

The Tamil Nadu Public Trusts (Regulation and Administration of Agricultural Land) Act ,
1961 (Tamil Nadu Act 57/61)

This Act has been enacted for the regulation and administration of agricultural lands held by
the Public Trusts in the State. No public trust can cultivate lands in excess of 20 standard acres
under Pannai cultivation. If any lands in excess of 20 standard acres, held by the public trust under
pannai cultivation are liable for leasing out to bonafide tenants The details of the cases pending
under the Tenancy Acts as on 28.2.2003 are given in Annexure -12.

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Fair Wages Act, 1969 (Tamil Nadu Act 19 of 69)

Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Fair Wages Act, 1969, (Tamil Nadu Act 19 of 69)
provides for payment of Fair Wages to agricultural labourers of Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur
Districts for various types of work in the agricultural sector. The present rates of wages payable to
the agricultural labourers are as follows:-

Classes of Agricultural Fair Wages per day

Labourers

1. Labourers engaged in ploughing

with bullocks and ploughs supplied
by him Rs. 100.00
2. Labourers engaged in ploughing with
bullocks and ploughs not supplied by him. Rs. 54.00

3. Labourers engaged in harvest Rs.54/- per day for men

of paddy reaping, carrying to labourers who do the work
thrashing floor, thrashing for six hours and Rs.45/-
winnowing, measuring and per day for women
bagging. labourers who do the work
for five hours or in kind to
th
the extent of 1/8 of the
gross yield of produce.
whichever is higher per
day.
4. Labourers engaged in harvest Rs.54/- per day for men
of crops other than paddy/other labourers who do the work
agricultural operations. for six hours and Rs.45/-
per day for women
labourers who do the work
for five hours.

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Lands (Record of Tenancy Rights) Act 1969 (Tamil Nadu Act 10
of 69)
 33

This Act provides for the registration of the names of the persons cultivating the agricultural
lands of private land owners and public trusts in the State, under this Act, Records of Tenancy
Rights have been prepared by entering full details of the registered tenants therein for safeguarding
the interest of the tenants. The Taluk Tahsildars are the Record Officers for the purposes of this
Act. Section 5(A) of the Act provides for the constitution of non-official Advisory Committees at
Taluk level, consisting of one landless agricultural labourer belonging to Scheduled
Castes/Scheduled Tribe tenant and three Social workers to assist the Record Officer in the
preparation of Record of Tenancy Rights. The details of the number of persons registered as
tenants under this Act as on 28.2.2003 are given in Annexure-13 .

The Tamil Nadu Occupants of Kudiyiruppu (Conferment of ownership) (Tamil Nadu Act
40/71) Act 1971

This Act provides for the conferment of ownership rights on agriculturists or agricultural
labourers who were occupying kudiyiruppus (Home steads) in the state as on 19.6.1971 as
tenants or as licensees and such kudiyiruppus shall vest in the absolutely free from all
encumbrances provided they have no house site. The Tamil Nadu Rural Artisans (Conferment of
ownership) Act 1976 (Act 38/76) extend such benefits to Rural Artisans also who were occupying
the site as on 1 7.1975. The time limit was extended in both the above two Acts upto 1.4.1990
through enactment of Tamil Nadu Act No.39 /1990. The details of the total number of
Kudiyiruppudars who were conferred ownership results over kudiyiruppu as on 28.2.2003 are
given in Annexure -14.

5.3.Land Tribunals

(1) With a view to expedite the disposal of Land Reforms cases Land Tribunals presided
over by District Revenue Officers were constituted . At present, one Land Tribunal at Chennai is
functioning for the entire State.

(2)The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Special Appellate Tribunal has been constituted with
effect from 1.11.1990 and the Writ jurisdiction of the High Court in matters relating to Land Reforms
and Civil Revision Petitions were transferred to the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Special Appellate
Tribunal. The details of disposals by the Special Appellate Tribunal as on 28.2.2003 are given in
Annexure -15.

5.4.Revenue Courts

Six Revenue Courts are now functioning in the State at Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai,
Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli and Madurai under the control of Special Deputy Collectors as
the presiding Officers. The Special Deputy Collectors (Revenue Courts) are the appellate
authorities who decide appeals against the orders of the Tahsildars concerned in respect of the
Tamil Nadu Agricultural Lands (Records of Tenancy Rights ) Act, 1969. They administer various
tenancy laws such as Tamil Nadu cultivating Tenants protection Act, 1955, Tamil Nadu Cultivating
Tenants (Payment of Fair Rent) Act, 1956, Tamil Nadu Public Trust (Regulation and Administration
of Agricultural Lands) Act, 1961, . Tamil Nadu Agricultural Lands (Record of Tenancy Rights) Act,
1969, Tamil Nadu Occupants of Kudiyiruppu (Protection from Eviction) Act, 1961, Tamil Nadu
Occupants of Kudiyiruppu (Conferment of Ownership Rights) Act, 1971 and the Tamil Nadu Rural
Artisans (Conferment of Ownerhsip of Kudiyiruppu) Act, 1976.

5.5.Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Welfare Board

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Welfare Board has been constituted as per
G.O.Ms.No.600, Revenue, L.Ref,.1(2) Department dated 27.11.2000. The Hon'ble Revenue
 34
Minister is the Chairman of the Board with seven official members and nine members from
both agricultural labourers and Land owners side. The Scheme notification has been published in
the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette No,109 dated 9.2.2001. Any landless agricultural labourer or
agricultural labourer having one acre of wet or 2.50 acres of dry land engaged in direct cultivation
and who has attained the age of 18 years and not completed 60 years can enroll as member under
the scheme The membership fee is Rs.100/- as one time contribution. For the above contribution,
the members are eligible for the benefits like assistance for maternity and accident relief etc., The
Scheme is being implemented from 9.2.2001 onwards. As on 28.2.2003, 7,30,815 persons have
been registered as members and an amount of Rs.7,30,81,560/- has been collected under this
scheme, towards the welfare fund.

5.6.URBAN LAND CEILING

The Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999 (Tamil Nadu Act
20/99) was enacted by replacing Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978 with
effect from 16.6.1999. The Repeal Act does not apply to the lands which were already acquired and
possession of which was taken over by the Government as on the date of repeal and also to the
lands exemptioned under section 21(1) of the Principal Act .For violation of conditions of
exemption, action is taken for resumption of lands.

DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS LANDS

Regarding disposal of surplus lands, the policy of the Government is as follows;-

(i) Excess vacant lands acquired which are free from encroachments shall be allotted in the
following order of priority;-
(a) Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board for their Community based projects
(b) Local bodies, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board
(c) State Government organizations like Electricity Board, Transport, Corporations and
State Government undertakings like Tamil Nadu Housing Board and Government
Departments,

(ii)The excess vacant lands which remain unallotted will be brought for sale through
Tender-cum-auction procedure.
(iii) Surplus urban lands which are vested with the Government but are under
encroachments and are used for commercial purpose can be regularised on collection of double
the guideline value of that land.

In G.O.(Ms)No.649 Revenue dated 29.7.1998, it is also ordered to regularise the lands

purchased for residential purpose upto 1 ½ (one and half) grounds, on collection of a specified.

5.7. URBAN LAND TAX

The Tamil Nadu Urban Land Tax Act was first introduced in Chennai City on 1.7.1963 to
augment revenue to Government and to discourage people from owning large area of urban land.
Subsequently it was extended to Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem and Tiruchirappalli with effect from
1.7.1971 and to Chennai City Belt Area with effect from 1.7.1975. In all these areas, tax was levied
st
based on the market value of the Urban Lands as on the 1 July 1971.

The Act was further extended to Tirunelveli Corporation with effect from 1.7.1981. The
following Municipalities were covered by the Act with effect from 1.7.1991.

Mayiladuthurai Kumbakonam
Kancheepuram Udumalpet
Cuddalore Palani
Villupuram Karaikudi
 35
Pudukottai Rajapalayam
Erode Namakkal
Pollachi Uthagamandalam
Thanjavur Dindigul
Tiruppur Karur
Thoothukudi Nagercoil
Vellore Kodaikanal
Mettur

Tax is levied based on the market value as on 1.7.81 in all these areas with effect from
1.7.91. The tax structure is as follows:-
All urban lands in areas other All urban lands in the Chennai City
than the Chennai City Belt Belt Area
Area
1 First 2 Nil 1 First 3 grounds Nil
grounds
2 Where the 0.7% of 2. Where the extent 0.7% of
extent the exceeds 3 the
exceeds 2 market grounds but does market
grounds but value. not exceed 7 value.
does not grounds.
exceed five
grounds.
3 Where the 1% of the 3 Where the extent 1% of the
extent market exceeds 7 market
exceeds 5 value grounds but does value
grounds but not exceed 10
does not grounds.
exceed 10
grounds

4 Where the 1.5% of 4 Where the extent 1.5% of

extent the exceeds 10 the
exceeds 10 market grounds but does market
grounds but value. not exceed 20 value.
does not grounds.
exceed 20
grounds.
5 Where the 2% of the 5 Where the extent 2% of the
extent market exceeds 20 market
exceeds 20 value. grounds. value.
grounds

The details of the Urban Land Tax viz. names of assessees, amounts due and paid etc. have
been computerised in all the Districts.

The following lands are exempted from levy of Urban Land Tax under section 29 of the
Act:-

(i) Lands owned by the Central State Governments and

Local Bodies.
(ii) Lands set apart for public worship.
(iii) Lands used for Hospitals approved by the State Government.
(iv) Lands used for burial grounds.
(v) Lands used as roads.
 36
(vi) Lands used by Schools, Colleges or Universities recognised by the Government of
Tamil Nadu.

(vii) Lands used for public parks, public libraries and museums.
(viii) Lands used for housing destitutes and Orphanages.

The lands registered as wet in the revenue accounts of the Government and used for
cultivation are exempted from levy of Urban Land Tax. The Government may grant exemption
under Section 27(1) of the Act from payment of Urban Land Tax in respect of the lands owned by
charitable, religious, philanthropic and other institutions, if the payment of Urban Land Tax causes
undue hardship to the above institutions.

The Government have also granted tax concessions to the following categories:-

i) All community Recreation centres, Clubs and Cinema studios are granted with 50% tax
concessions.

ii) Industries having small scale Industries Certificates are granted with 25% tax concession
while other industries are granted with 10% concessions.

iii) All Music and Dramatic Sabhas are granted with 50% tax concessions.
iv) Cinema Threates are granted with 10% tax concessions.
v) Lands notified as slums are granted full concessions and,
vi) A rebate of 50% of the tax is being given where there is a building on the lands wholly
occupied by the owner for residential purposes only.

8. In order to speed up the disposal of appeal against assessment and levy of Urban land
Tax, Government have since appointed the District Revenue officers of the respective Districts as
Urban Land Tax Tribunals for the moffussil districts. For Chennai City, the District Revenue Officer
in the Land Reforms Department,(Land Tribunal) Chepauk, Chennai-5 acts as the Tribunal.

5.8. Agricultural income tax

The Agricultural Income Tax Act was enacted in Tamil Nadu during the year 1955. The
tax was levied on Agricultural income derived from plantation crops under this Act. An Amendment
were made in levying tax on agricultural Income derived from Non-plantation crops also later in the
year 1958.

The Levy of Agricultural Income Tax on Non plantation crops was withdrawn from
01.04.1992, as a measure of relief to the small farmers. Now the tax is levied only on plantation
crops (i.e) Tea, Rubber, Coffee, cardamom, Arecanut, cloves and pepper. Assessees holding over
and above 8 acres are comes under the tax . (by the Tamilnadu Agricultural Income Tax Act 1955)
with effect from 1.4.1992. In the compounding system, compounding is followed from 8 ordinary
acres up to 50 ordinary acres.
Provisions of self-assessment and advance tax payment are made available from
assessment year 1992-93. The income exemptions limit in force is Rs.28000/-. The Taluk
Tahsildars are incharge of Collection of arrears on non-plantation crops with effect from 1.6.92.

The Demand, collection and balance statement of Agricultural Income Tax for the year
2002-2003 (upto 28.2.2003) is given in Annexure -16.

O.PANNEERSELVAM,
MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS,
 37
PROHIBITION AND EXCISE AND REVENUE.

ANNEXURE-1

DETAILS OF DISTRICTS, DIVISIONS, TALUKS, FIRKAS, AND VILLAGES IN TAMIL NADU

Total No.

Total No.
of Firkas

Revenue
Villages
Name of
S. Name of
Revenue Name of Taluks

of
No. Districts
Divisions

1. Chennai 1.Kottai-Thondiarpet
2.Purasawalkam-
Perambur 20 55
3.Egmore-
Nungambakkam
4.Mylapore-
Tiruvallikeni
5.Mambalam-Guindy
2. Kanchee- 1.Kancheepura 1.Kancheepuram
puram m 2.Uthiramerur
3.Sriperumbudur
4. Chengalput
2.Chengalput 5.
Thirukazhukundram 55 1210
6.Tambaram
3.Madurantakam 7. Madurantakam
8. Cheyyur
3. Thiruvallur 1.Ponneri 1. Ambattur
2. Ponneri
3. Gummidipoondi
2.Tiruthani 4. Tiruthani
5. Pallipattu
3.Tiruvallur 6. Tiruvallur 46 840
7. Uthukottai
8. Poonamaliee
4. Vellore 1.Ranipettai 1. Arcot
2. Wallajah
3. Arakonam
2. Vellore 4. Vellore
5. Gudiyattam
6. Katpadi 52 843
 38
3. Thirupattur 7. Thirupathur
8.Vaniyampadi

5. Thiruvann 1.Cheyyar 1. Cheyyar

amalai 2. Vandavasi
3. Arni
2.Thiruvanna- 4. Thiruvannamalai 52 1067
malai 5. Polur
6. Chengam
6. Cuddalore 1.Chidambaram 1. Chidambaram
2. Kattumannarkoil
2.Cuddalore 3. Cuddalore
4. Panruti 32 901
3.Virudhachalam 5. Virudachalam
6. Thittakudi
7. Villupuram 1. Kallakurichi 1. Kallakurichi
2. Sankarapuram
2. Tirukoilur 3. Tirukoilur
4. Ulundurpet
3. Tindivanam 5. Tindivanam
6. Gingee
4. Villupuram 7. Villupuram 54 1490
8. Vanur
8. Thanjavur 1.Thanjavur 1. Thanjavur
2. Thiruvaiyaru
3. Orathanadu
2.Kumbakonam 4. Kumbakonam
5. 50 906
Thiruvidaimaruthur
6. Papanasam
3.Pattukkottai 7. Pattukkottai
8. Peravurani

9. Nagapatti- 1.Nagapattinam 1. Nagapattinam

nam 2. Vedaranyam
3. Kivelur
4. Thirukuvalai 30 519
2. 5. Mayiladuthurai
Mayiladuthurai 6. Tharangambadi
7. Sirkali
10. Thiruvarur 1. Mannargudi 1. Mannargudi
2. Needamangalam
3. Thiruthuraipoondi
2. Thiruvarur 4. Thiruvarur
5. Nannilam 27 574
6. Kodavasal
7. Valangaiman
11 Tiruchira- 1.Tiruchirappalli 1.Tiruchirappalli
ppalli 2.Srirangam
3.Manapparai
2.Lalgui 4.Lalgudi
41 507
5.Manachanallur
3.Musiri 6.Musiri
7.Thottiam
8.Thuraiyur
 39
12 Karur 1.Karur 1.Karur
2.Aravakurichi
19 203
2.Kulithalai 3.Kulithalai
4.Krishnarayapuram
13 Perambal 1.Perambalur 1.Perambalur
ur 2.Veppanthattai
3. Kunnam
25 347
2.Ariyalur 4.Ariyalur
3.Udayarpalaya 5.Udayarpalayam
m 6.Sendurai
14 Pudukkott 1.Pudukkottai 1.Kulathur
ai 2.Ilupur
3.Alangudi
4.Pudukkottai
5.Gandarvakottai 44 757
6.Thirumayam
2.Aranthangi 7.Aranthangi
8.Avudiyarkoil
9.Manamelkudi
15 Madurai 1.Madurai 1.Madurai(South)
2.Madurai(North)
3.Melur
664
4.Vadipatti 51
2.Usilampatti 5.Usilampatti
6.Thirumangalam
7.Peraiyur
16 Theni 1.Periyakulam 1.Periyakulam
2.Theni
2.Uthamapalaya 3.Aandipatti 17 113
m 4.Uthamapalayam
5.Bodinayakanur
17 Dindigul 1.Dindigul 1.Dindigul
2.Nattam
3.Nilakottai
2.Palani 4.Palani
39 358
5.Oddanchatram
6.Vedasandur
3.Kodaikanal 7.Kodaikanal

18 Ramanath 1.Ramanatha- 1.Ramanathapuram

apuram puram 2.Rameswaram
3.Thiruvadanai
2.Paramakudi 4.Mudukulathur
39 400
5.Kamuthi
6.Paramakudi
7.Kadaladi

19 Sivaganga 1.Devakottai 1.Thirupathur 37 521

i 2.Karaikudi
3.Devakottai
2.Sivagangai 4.Sivagangai
5.Manamadurai
6.Ilayankudi
20 Virudhu 1.Sivakasi 1.Srivilliputhur 36 600
nagar 2.Rajapalayam
 40
3.Sathur
4.Sivakasi
2.Aruppukottai 5.Aruppukottai
6.Kariyapatti
7.Virudhunagar
8.Thiruchuli

21 Tirunelveli 1.Tirunelveli 1.Palayamkottai

2.Sankarankoil
3.Tirunelveli
2.Cheranmadevi 4.Ambasamudram
5.Nanguneri
6.Radhapuram
61 628
3.Tenkasi 7.Tenkasi
8.Shengottai
9.Veerakeralampudur
10.Alangulam
11.Sivagiri

22 Thoothu- 1.Thoothukudi 1.Thoothukudi

kudi 2.Srivaikuntam
2.Thiruchendur 3.Thiruchendur
4.Sattankulam
40 468
3.Kovilpatti 5.Kovilpatti
6.Ottapidaram
7.Vilathikulam
8.Ettaiyapuram
23 Salem 1.Salem 1.Salem
2.Yercaud
3.Vazhapadi
2.Attur 4.Attur
5.Gangavalli 42 621
3.Mettur 6.Mettur
7.Omalur
4.Sankari 8.Sankari
9.Edapadi
24 Namakkal 1.Namakkal 1.Namakkal
2.Rasipuram
30 391
2.Thiruchengode 3.Thiruchengode
4.Paramathivelur
25 Dharmapu 1.Dharmapuri 1.Dharmapuri
ri 2.Harur
3.Pappireddipatti
4.Pennagaram
2.Krishnagiri 5.Palacode
51 1106
6.Krishnagiri
7.Uthangarai
8.Pochampalli
3.Hosur 9.Hosur
10.Thenkanikottai
26 Coimbator 1.Coimbatore 1.Coimbatore(North)
e 2.Coimbatore(South)
3.Mettupalayam 50 481
2.Thiruppur 4.Palladam
5.Thiruppur
 41
6.Avinashi
3.Pollachi 7.Pollachi
8.Valparai
9.Udumalaipettai
27 Erode 1.Erode 1.Erode
2.Perundurai
2.Dharapuram 3.Dharapuram
4.Kangeyam 41 539
3.Gobichetti- 5.Bhavani
palayam 6.Gobichettipalayam
7.Sathiyamangalam
28 The 1.Gudalur 1.Gudalur
Nilgiris 2.Pandalur
2.Coonoor 3.Udagamandalam
15 54
4.Kundah
5.Coonoor
6.Kothagiri
29 Kanya 1.Nagercoil 1.Thovalai
kumari 2.Agasteeswaram
18 81
2.Padmanabha- 3.Kaikulam
puram 4.Vilavankodu

Abstract

Districts : 29
Revenue Divisions : 73
Taluks : 206
Firkas : 1120
Revenue Villages :17244

ANNEXURE-2
Total Population of Tamilnadu as per 2001 Census

S. Districts persons Males Females

N
 42
o

1. 2. 3 4 5
1. Chennai 42,16,268 21,61,605 20,54,663
2 Coimbatore 42,24,107 21,56,280 20,67,827
3 Cuddalore 22,80,530 11,48,729 11,31,801
4 Dharmapuri 28,33,252 14,62,136 13,71,116
5 Dindigul 19,18,960 9,66,201 9,52,759
6 Erode 25,74,067 13,06,039 12,68,028
7 Kancheepuram 28,69,920 14,55,302 14,14,618
8 Kanniyakumari 16,39,763 8,29,542 8,10,221
9 Karur 9,33,791 4,64,489 4,69,302
10 Madurai 25,62,279 12,95,124 12,67,155
11 Nagapattinam 14,87,055 7,38,287 7,48,768
12 Namakkal 14,95,661 7,60,409 7,35,252
13 Nilgiris 7,64,826 3,79,610 3,85,216
14 Perambalur 11,81,029 5,88,441 5,92,588
15 Pudukottai 14,55,269 7,20,847 7,34,422
16 Ramanathapuram 10,83,320 5,82,068 5,01,252
17 Salem 29,92,754 15,51,357 14,41,397
18 Sivaganga 11,50,753 5,65,594 5,85,159
19 Thanjavur 22,05,375 10,91,557 11,13,818
20 Theni 10,94,724 5,53,118 5,41,606
21 Thiruvarur 11,59,213 5,78,870 5,80,343
22 Thoothukudi 15,65,743 7,64,087 8,01,656
23 Tiruchirappalli 23,88,831 11,94,133 11,94,698
24 Tirunelveli 28,01,194 13,72,082 14,29,112
25 Tiruvallur 27,38,866 13,90,292 13,48,574
26 Tiruvannamalai 21,81,853 10,93,191 10,88,662
27 Vellore 34,82,970 17,43,871 17,39,099
28 Villupuram 29,43,917 14,84,573 14,59,344
29 Virudhunagar 17,61,548 8,70,820 8,90,728
Total 6,21,10,839 3,12,68,654 3,08,42,185
Source : Census Government of India

ANNEXURE -3

The position regarding collection of Land Revenue ( fasli 1411-1412) from 1.1.2002 to 31.12.2002)
is given below:

Rupees in crores

1. Demand - 81.42
2. Amount covered by stay - 9.77
3. Collectable demand - 71.65
4. Total collection from
1.1.02 to 31.12.02 - 49.27
5. Balance - 22.38
 43

ANNEXURE -4

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SANCTIONED UNDER THE TAMIL NADU FAMILY DISTRESS

RELIEF SCHEME FROM 1996-97 TO 2001-2002

Sl.No. Year Financial Assistance

Sanctioned
(Rs. in Lakhs)
1. 1996-97 3088.63
2. 1997-98 2618.70
3. 1998-99 3591.91
4. 1999-2000 1884.46
5. 2000-2001 1791.38
6. 2001-2002 1478.30

ANNEXURE - 5

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SANCTIONED UNDER THE ACCIDENT RELIEF SCHEME FROM

1996-97 to 2001-2002

Sl.No Year State Central Total

Share Share
(Rs.in lakhs)
1. 1996-97 18.88 114.54 133.42
2. 1997-98 47.04 73.25 120.29
3. 1998.99 69.60 167.13 236.73
4. 1999.2000 80.38 14.67 95.05
5. 2000-2001 29.90 31.62 61.52
6. 2001-2002 39.77 73.20 112.97

ANNEXURE - 6

The Details of grant of house site pattas during the year 2002-2003

Target 30,000
Achievement 63,339

CAGTEGORY BENEFICIARIES

Scheduled Caste 19,557

Scheduled Tribe 1,907
Most Backward class 15,243
Backward Class 25,288
Others 1,344
----------
Total 63,339
 44
----------

ANNEUXRE -7

The districtwise details of assignment of cultivable lands to landless poor during the year
2002-2003

(In acres)
Target 3,000
Achievement 4,729.71

CATEGORY BENEFICIARIES EXTENT IN ACRES.

Scheduled Caste 2,084 1,140.00

Scheduled Tribe 23 14.24
Most Backward class 2,300 1,327.61
Backward Class 3,772 2,180.12
Others 120 67.74
------- ------------ Total 8,299
4,729.71
------- ------------ Total area
assigned (in acres) 4729.71

ANNEXURE-8
ABOLITION OF INTERNEDIARIES AND CONVERSION INTO RYOTWARI TENURES
The details of work in progress and the work completed under the various Acts are as follows:-

THE TAMIL NADU ESTATES (ABOLITION ANDCONVERSION INTO RYOTWARI) ACT, 1948
(TAMIL NADU ACT, XXVI/1948)

Estates Area in
S.No. sq.km
1. Total number of estates 5092 29,567.15
taken over by Government
2. Area settled 5092 29,567.15
3. Balance Nil Nil
4. Number of beneficiaries 23,33,840
 45

THE TAMIL NADU INAM ESTATES(ABOLITION AND CONVERSION INTO RYOTWARI) ACT,
1963 (TAMIL NADU ACT, 26/1963)
S. Estates Area in
No. Sq.K.m
1. Total number of estates 2125 4126.43
taken over by Government
2. Area settled 2115 4108.75

3. Balance 10* 17.68

*Thanjavur 2
Nagapattinam 1
Pudukottai 1
Dharmapuri 6
Total 10

(covered by court cases)

4 No.of beneficiaries 3,62,118

THE TAMIL NADU LEASEHOLDS (ABOLITION AND CONVERSION INTO RYOTWARI

)ACT,1963 (TAMIL NADU ACT, 27/1963)

Villages Area in
Sq.Km
1 Total number of villages taken 12 84.22
over by Government
2 Area settled 12 84.22
3 Balance Nil Nil
4 Number of beneficiaries 6003

THE TAMIL NADU MINOR INAM (ABOLITION AND CONVERSION INTO RYOTWARI)ACT,
1963(TAMIL NADU ACT, 30/1963)

S.No. Title Area in

deeds Sq. Km
1 Total number of Title deeds 1,37,038 3742.25
2 No.of titl e deeds settled 1,37,032 3719.32
3 Balance 6* 22.93
4 No.of beneficiaries 5,11,182
1.Pudukottai District -4
2.Nagapattinam District -1
3. Ramanathapuram Dist.-1(Covered by court cases)
Total 6

THE TAMIL NADU GUDALUR JANMAM(AOLITION AND CONVERSION INTO

RYOTWARI)ACT,1969(TAMIL NADU ACT,24/69)

No.of Area in
villages Sq.Km
1 Total number of villages taken 10 324.10
over by Government
 46
2 Area settled 3 146.18
3 Balance 7 177.92
4 Number of beneficiaries 6468

THE TAMIL NADU LEVY OF RYOTWARI ASSESSMENT ON FREEHOLD LANDS

ACT,1973(TAMIL NADU ACT, 31/1973)

Villages Area in
Sq. km
1 Total number of villages 122 100.69
taken over by Government
2 Area settled 122 100.69
3 Balance Nil Nil

ANNEXURE -9

Statement showing the details of total extent of land declared surplus, assigned and number of
beneficiaries.

Land declared as
Year Lands assigned No.of beneficiaries
surplus
(in acres)
1961-1970 19,028 14,074 7,978
1971-1980 1,80,132 70,730 51,244
1981-1990 50,834 59,647 53,494
1991-1996 15,093 34,953 21,297
1997-2000 6,552 8,824 7,098
2000-2001 604 1,635 1,236
2001-2002 677 1,612 1,336
1.4.2002 to 28.2.2003 1,427 1,785 1,387
Total 2,02,347 1,93,260 1,45,070

*includes extents allotted for public purpose under rule 13 of Tamil Nadu Land
Reforms(DSL)Rules,1965.

ANNEXURE -10

Statement showing details of number of Beneficiaries benefited

Categories of persons Number of persons Extent assigned (in acres)

benefited
Scheduled Castes 64,580 69,116
Scheduled Tribes 205 275
Others 80,185 1,13,684
Total 1,45,070 1,83,075

ANNEXURE -11
Statement showing the details of the balance extent to be assigned and also extent covered
under Court cases.
 47
(in acres)
1. Extent notified as surplus 2,02,347
2. Land assigned to landless poor 1,83,075
3. Balance 19,272
4. Extent covered stay granted by various courts-Supreme Court, 8,872
High Court, Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Special Appellate
Tribunal, Land Commissioner, Land Tribunal, Sub-Courts.
5. Balance 10,400
6. Extent allotted for public purposes under rule 13 of the Tamil 10,185
Nadu Land Reforms(DSL)Rules, 1965 pending distribution as
per Disposal of Surplus Land Rules.
7. Balance extent to be assigned 215

(*) Break up details for the cases pending in various courts.

S Name of the Court No.of Extent

N cases covered
o (In acres)
1. Supreme Court 7 695.00
2. High Court 68 4160.00
3. Tamil Nadu Land 44 2135.00
Reforms Special
Appellate Tribunal
4. Land Commissioner 22 357.00
5. Land Tribunal 15 272.00
6. Other Civil Courts 25 1253.00
Total 181 8872.00

ANNEXURE -12

Statement showing details of cases pending under Tenancy Acts

Sl.No. Name of the Act Number of

cases pending

1. The Tamil Nadu Cultivating

Tenants Protection Act, 1955 1337
(Tamil Nadu Act, 25/55)

2. The Tamil Nadu Public Trusts

(Regulation and
Administrtation of Agricultural 11169
Lands) Act, 1961 (Tamil Nadu
Act, 57/61)
3. The Tamil Nadu Cultivating 218
Tenants (Payment of Fair
Rent) Act, 1955 (Tamil Nadu
Act 24/56)

ANNEXURE -13
 48
Statement showing the details of number of persons registered as tenants under the Tamil
Nadu Agricultural Lands (Record of Tenancy Rights) Act, 1969
(Tamil Nadu Act 10/1969)

Category No.of persons

Scheduled Castes 1,90,339

Scheduled Tribes 881
Others 3,74,542
Total 5,65,762

ANNEXURE -14

Statement showing details of the total number of Kudiyiruppudar who were conferred ownership
rights over Kudiyiruppu

Category Act Act 38/76 Act Total

40/71 39/90
Scheduled 99733 46 922 100701
Castes
Scheduled 2209 15 342 2566
Tribes
Others 79130 351 243 79724
Total 181072 412 1507 182991

ANNEXURE -15

Statement showing the details of disposal by the Special Appellate Tribunal

Sl.No. Details Cases Miscell

aneous
Petitions
1. Total No.of cases transferred from 901 704
High Court
2. Cases filed before the Tamil Nadu 810 2323
Land Reforms Special Appellate
Tribunal
Total 1711 3027
3. Total No.of cases disposed of out of 899 704
the transferred cases
4. Total disposed of cases filed before 768 2253
the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
Special Appellate Tribunal (Upto
28.2.2002)
Total 1667 2957
Balance as on 28.2.2002 44 70
 49

ANNEXURE-16

Demand, Collection and Balance

2001-2002

(Rs. in lakhs)
Demand 896.04
Stay 43.74
Net Demand 852.30
Collection 435.22
Balance 417.08

Advance tax Collection

2001-2002 (20%) 13.15

2002-2003 (80%) 102.06
Miscellaneous collection 0.69
Total Collection 551.12

Less:-
Collection adjusted against 326.92
Advance tax and excess tax
already collected.

Net Collection 224.20

Demand, Collection and Balance

2002-2003

(Rs. In Lakhs)

Demand 406.23
Stay 46.80
Net Demand 359.43
Collection 119.32
Balance 240.11

Advance tax Collection

2002-2003 (20%) 51.83

2003-2004 (80%) 4.02

Miscellaneous collection 0.74

Total Collection 175.91

Less:
 50
Collection adjusted against 63.48
Advance tax and excess tax
already collected.

Net Collection 112.43

Number of Assesses for the years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 year

Year Compounding Plantation
Return Total

2001-2002 3608 304 3912

2002-2003 3607 303 3910

Crop Extent (in acres)

Tea 84,484.48
Coffee 46,883.26
Cardamom 6,826.21
Rubber 14,949.13
Pepper 160.82
Cloves 592.70
Arecanut 771.33
Total 1,50,667.93

Before end of the previous year, all assesses shall pay the advance tax for the current
assessment year at 80% on the agricultural income derived by him before end of February. This
advance tax would be adjusted towards the tax due from him during the current assessment year at
the end of that assessment year.

O.PANNEERSELVAM,
MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS, PROHIBITION AND EXCISE,
AND REVENUE.