REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF LAND RECORDS

The system of survey and classification followed in the former state of Hyderabad, of which Bhir district formed a part, was similar to the one prevailing in Maharashtra. The same system was continued in Bhir district with certain modifications to suit the local condition. The Rayatwari system of land revenue is prevalent in the district.

The system of survey and classification is based upon the principles laid down in the report of Messrs. Goldsmith and Wingate of Bombay. Survey is conducted field to field as per the actual possession of the holders on the spot. The survey and classification operations which are taken up only after the receipt of sanction from the Government under Section 77 of the Hyderabad Land Revenue Code are carried from November to the middle of June.

There is a fixed scale of work for the technical staff for all items involved in survey, classification and settlement and revision work.

Survey and classification are conducted under the supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Land Records who is responsible to the Settlement Commissioner.

The work is checked partly by the Nimtandars and partly by the Assistant Commissioner. The Nimtandars as well as the Assistant Commissioner have to submit the inspection plots for scrutiny of higher authorities. Usually inspection is conducted by theodolite. At times, inspection is also conducted with the help of cross staff.

Survey

Before the commencement of the survey by surveyors, north is fixed with theodolite and the base line and the perpendiculars formed by the surveyors are checked by theodolite where the villages are not traversed.

The measurement is conducted with the help of cross staff and chain of 10.058 metres (33'). Field to field survey is conducted. A base line is taken and perpendiculars are drawn on it. Suitable length is formed and offsets taken for each bend and curve in the survey number. By this process, right angles are formed and area worked out as per the formula, i.e., ½ base x height.

Classification

Classification is conducted field-wise. The soil being black cotton soil, the classification is determined by the depth and the texture of the soil denominating the soil values. Due weightage is also given to the defects in the soil.

The soil is divided into two categories, the black cotton soil and the other which is slightly brown in colour. The former is known as Pavibhag while the latter type is known as Davibhag. The second category is considered inferior to that of the first by one gradation.

There are seven gradations in soil classification. The anna value of the soil classification is determined at 16, 15, 14, 11, 8, 5 and 3 annas, respectively, for the first classification, while for the latter classification, it is fixed at 15, 14, 11, 8, 5 and 3 annas, respectively. The scale of depth varies as per the classification value. To fix the classification value at 16 annas, a depth of 1¼ hath (cubits) is required. The depth is reduced by ¼ hath per grade. Generally, the 7th grade of classification in black cotton soil is eliminated in the 1st order of soil. In case of the soil of the second order, the scale of depth commences from 0.457 metres (1½'), 15 annas being the highest bhag annas.

The water factor is also taken into consideration in case of classification of garden and wet lands. In case of wet lands, the duration of supply of water and its sources are considered. In case of wells, the supply of water, the depth of the well, the quality of water, whether sweet or brackish and the distance between the garden and the well are taken into consideration. If the distance exceeds ten chains, 6 pies are reduced. For the distance of every 20 chains, 6 pies are reduced. If additional labour is required to lift water, an anna is reduced in case of water lifted by mots and six pies are reduced for manual labour.

Classification of water provided for lands under irrigation is made into two classes, viz., tank and kunta. If the water irrigates up to 12.140 hectares (30 acres) of land it is known as kunta; otherwise it is known as tank.

If the area of land irrigated is less than 12.140 hectares (30 acres), the rate applied is kunta-rate and if it exceeds 12.140 hectares (30 acres), it is tank-rate. There are different water rates for different water classes as shown below:—

If the water is brackish and hence less usefull for crops, water class is reduced by one anna. Where water flows over karal land, value is reduced by another half an anna. Further, the period for which the flow of water is available is also taken into account.

In case of wells, the classification is based upon the following:—

(a) When the depth of the water is from 1 to 6 yards, water classification is 3 annas.

(b) Between 6 and 8 yards, 3½ annas.

(c) Between 8 and 10 yards, 4 annas.

(d) Between 10 and 12 yards, 4½ annas.

(e) Higher than 12 yards, 5 annas.

The classification value varies according to the depth of the Water. Wells within Ayacut are treated as tanks for the purposes of classification. All the garden lands under wells are treated as dry lands.

Standard of area fixed for formation of dry, bagayat and wet numbers

The minimum acres fixed for dry numbers are 12 in the case of the lands of the first order and 10 in the case of the lands of the second order. The maximum that is fixed for the first order is 14.568 hectares (36 acres) while in the case of the other it is fixed at 12.140 hectares (30 acres). The sub-division below 3.237 hectares (8 acres) is disallowed in dry lands. Pot numbers are to be formed up to 1.619 hectares (4 acres) each. Not more than 4 Pot numbers are allowed to exist within one survey number. No survey number is given to land below 0.101 hectares (10 gunthas). Bagayat numbers are formed on the basis of the number of lifts and bullocks. A survey number is formed of 1.214 hectares (three acres) if there is one lift and two bullocks and of 1.619 hectares (four acres) if there is one lift and four bullocks. For sugarcane and betel gardens, a survey number can be formed of 0.101 hectares (10 gunthas).

Maps

Maps are drawn to the scale of 8"=1 mile. Separate maps for wet and dry lands are prepared. For wet numbers measuring 1.214 hectares (three acres) or less, map is drawn to the scale of 16"=1 mile. Thus, two separate copies of maps are preserved in the village records.

Settlement and Assesment

This work is entrusted to the jamabandi section which functions under the direct supervision of the Settlement Commissioner. The rates are proposed for the whole tahsil. Duel consideration is given to the factors like climate, nearness of markets, agricultural skill, the water sources and the general prosperity of the farmers. Added to this, the capacity of the soil and income of the majority of persons dependent upon agricultural profession is also taken into consideration.

Thus, the whole tahsil is divided into two or three groups as the case may be and the maximum rates are proposed for dry lands. A uniform fixed rate is proposed after taking into account the source of water facilities. After formation of the groups, the opinion and remarks of the Collector are obtained on the transfer of some villages from one group to another. Reshuffling is. made, if his suggestions are found practical.

After the preliminary work of akar is completed by the survey parties, classer register, wasulbaqui, sar nakasha, bagayat-takta and classer darvan are sent to the jamabandi section for further action. The miscellaneous papers, obtained by the classers during classification from the patwari and the tahsildar, are also sent to the jamabandi section.

These papers relate to statements about sources of irrigation, census figures for each village, places of markets, places of weekly bazars, schools, post offices, railway facilities, figures of rainfall in the last ten years, varieties of crops grown, movement of prices in grains and other articles, value of lands (local price), number of holders of different groups, strength of the cattle and mortgages.

On receipt of the above papers, the jamabandi section prepares statement 'A' showing different categories of lands, viz., Government, inam, maqta, kharij khata, etc., together with the area of cultivable and uncultivable lands and the assessment in regard cultivable lands. Another statement 'B' is prepared based on wasulbaqui statement giving details of area and assessment prior to settlement. Statement of different irrigation sources and an additional statement of irrigation and water resources are prepared showing the total number of tanks, wells and canals. Thereafter, three different statements of natija mali (financial implications) for dry, bagayat and wet lands are prepared showing the differences in area and assessment, current as well as proposed. After this procedure, statement 'Q' is prepared on the basis of natija mali which indicates for each village the group in which it falls together with area and assessment to be revised. The figures are shown separately for dry, bagayat and wet lands on the basis of which the Government sanctions the rates.

The Settlement Commissioner has to submit his proposals to the Government for sanctioning the rates proposed by him alongwith the maps of the different groups in which the tahsil is sub-divided. On receipt of the sanction from the Government, the Settlement Commissioner prepares a jantri or a sliding scale of rates to be applied to the different classes of soils and different water resources, notes the group class and jantri class in the classer register, prepares Akarband consisting of area and assessment for each survey number, makes entries in the akarband and in the wasulbaqui and prepares khatedar slips (shuna-wai parchas) to be distributed amongst the khatedars or register holders either by the Deputy Collector or the Assistant Commissioner of Settlement.

A copy each of wasulbaqui and shetwar and two printed copies of maps are sent to the tahsil for references out of which one copy is made over to the village official.

The other jamabandi papers are retained by the Settlement Commissioner after the date of announcement for hearing appeals under Section 87 of the Land Revenue Act. After the lapse of two years, the papers are sent to the District Land Records Office for safe custody. After the receipt of the records in the District Land Records Office, the Collector is empowered to effect corrections in settlement papers. He is authorised to hear appeals for errors in the settlement papers under Section 87 of the Land Revenue Act for a period of two years from the date of announcement in case of wrong entries of pattedar's name. In respect of other matters, there is no time limit set for effecting corrections.

Enhancement of Assessment

The following limitations are enforced while proposing rates for settlement: —

(a) increase of revenue in the case of tahsil, brought under the same maximum rate, should not exceed 30 per cent;

(b) no increase exceeding 66 per cent should be imposed on a single village;

(c) no increase exceeding 100 per cent should be imposed on individual holding; and

(d) whenever the rates are higher than those prescribed concession is given to the ryots which is known as igatpuri concession. The proposed increase is spread over a period of seven years.

All the settlement details are preserved in the book called jamabandi report for the whole tahsil, copies of which are sent to the office of the District Inspector of Land Records.

Revision

Generally, 30 years is the guarantee period assigned for revision after the first settlement.

The Revision Survey is conducted in accordance with the rules made in this behalf. [Contained in the letter, Revenue Secretariat, No. 2138, dated the 25th Khurdad, 1320 Fasli.] During the Revision Survey operations, the Survey Department has to recheck every number (pahni), to inspect boundary marks of each number and prepare a list of missing and/or unrepaired boundary marks, to check the area of each survey number by telesquare, to rectify survey numbers if they are not according to the maximum and the minimum fixed, to check the sources of water classification, to convert wet lands into dry if water sources have failed during the past ten years, to convert the dry lands into wet lands if they are irrigated for three years continuously, to treat the land under new wells as also the old ones if restored as dry, to bring to the notice of the officer concerned if life-grants are passed to unauthorised persons, to carry out sub-divisions in case of inams granted permanently without any conditions, to undertake phundi works in case of construction of railways and roads and canals coming under the Buildings and Communications and the Irrigation and Power Departments of the State Government, to form separate numbers on either side of the cart tracks or nallas if they are found in one chain and to form separate numbers for land from which gravel is taken to be spread over the roads.

If more than four pot numbers are located within a survey number, their strength is reduced by amalgamating the same in the portion of the land belonging to the same person in case of contiguity of lands. If it is not so, separate survey numbers are formed.

The boundaries fixed during the original survey are strictly adhered to. If any encroachment is found to have been made on Government lands, the same is removed with the help of the Revenue Officials of the tahsil.

If any difference is traced between the past and the present measurements, such numbers are remeasured.

Classification is revised and appropriate soil value is worked out of sand is found in larger proportion in clay in the chalka lands.

District Land Records Office

At the State level, the Land Records Department is controlled by the Director of Land Records and Settlement Commissioner, Maharashtra State, Poona. He is assisted by the Regional Deputy Director of Land Records, Nagpur, whose jurisdiction also extends over the Marathwada region. The functioning of the department in the Marathwada region is controlled by the Superintendent of Land Records, Nagpur. At the district level, the work is done by the District Inspector of Land Records.

District Land Records Office, Bhir, started its independent functioning from 1951. Prior to that, there was a Joint Land Records Officer whose jurisdiction extended over the Osmanabad district also. There are 1,043 villages including 167 ex-jagir villages in the tahsils of the district. The total assessment of the district is Rs. 22,85,685.00 (original survey). All the tahsils are due for revision.

The agro-economic survey of all the tahsils in Bhir district was conducted during 1954—56 but no orders were passed thereon by the ex-Hyderabad Government.

The main functions of the Land Records Office are to maintain the village records pertaining to Original Survey and Revision Survey, to attend to sub-division work, if sanctioned by the Revenue and Court authorities; to conduct demarcation of survey numbers on receipt of applications from ryots with necessary fees; to issue copies of panchanama done on the spot during inspection of demarcation by the District Inspector of Land Records; to issue copy of pricked touch plot of demarcation completed by the District Inspector of Land Records; to sell cloth maps at the rate of Rs. 1.50 per square foot and paper maps at the rate of Re. 1 per square foot; to charge a levy of Re. 0.50 for the perusal of the record per hour; to charge a levy of Re. 0.94 for correction of technical records; to attend to the cases of land acquisition and sub-division work in case of allotment of lands under new lavni; to prepare kami-jasti patraks if changes have occurred in area of assessment and to supply copies of shetwars after settlement to the tahsil office.

The records could be called for inspection only by the court. Private parties are not allowed any access to them.

The following are the duties of the District Inspector of Land Records: —

(a) to provide technical guidance to the Collector and the Revenue authorities,

(b) to supervise and inspect the technical work done in the district,

(c) to settle the boundary disputes.

(d) to correct the maps if errors are detected,

(e) to inspect crop cutting experiments,

(f) to make arrangements for reprinting of maps,

(g) to supply maps to the tahsils,

(h) to impart settlement training to village officials,

(i) to maintain, classify and preserve settlement records up-to-date,

(j) to inspect tahsil offices (Record Section) and to solve all the technical difficulties faced by the tahsils.

Record of Rights

This Act was enacted by the ex-Hyderabad State in the year 1346 Fasli, i.e., in the year 1936 A.D. Under this Act, Record of Rights (pot hissa measurements) is so far completed in Ambejogai, Ashti, Bhir and Georai tahsils and is in progress in the remaining tahsils. The work so far completed is announced in Ashti, Ambejogai and Georai tahsils only.

The intention of the Government, in introducing this Act, was to give relief to co-partners of the Registered Holders who were at the mercy of the pattedars as they could neither sell nor mortgage their holdings without the consent of the pattedars. It was also intended to protect the rights of the protected tenants and to stop the mal-practices of their eviction at the will and pleasure of the owners of the fields. In the Revenue Accounts only the names of the pattedars were to be found. Further, when a survey number was sold or partitioned among the heirs, the recorded area and the spot possession differed, thus giving rise to confusion. These drawbacks were removed by the introduction of the Record of Rights by the Government.

The register contains survey number, total area, total assessment, the name of the occupant, the number of hits, their area, assessment worked out by the patwari dividing the area and assessment in equal parts as per the share of the bit holder, the nature of right of holding, details of incumbents if any, the number of trees and the share in the well if there is any.

After the completion of the register, the Surveyors are sent for measurement as per the possession of the spot of bit holders.

During the pot-hissa measurement, gat plot for each survey number is drawn showing the bits in red ink and their area is worked out with telesquare and not by actual multiplication. At present, the assessment of each bit or hissa is calculated by working out separate bhag annas for each hissa and separately finding out its rate as per the individual bhag annas.

After the completion of the recess work, i.e., calculation of areas, preparation of gats, etc., the announcement slips are pre-pared for each bit containing the name of the bit holder along with area and assessment. The measurement fees are collected as per the rates stipulated.

If the assessment of the bit is less than Rs. 5, the fee of Rs. 2 is charged per hissa, and if the assessment of the hissa is Rs. 5 or more, the fee of Rs. 4 is charged per hissa. In addition to the above amount, an extra fee of Re. 0.50 is collected towards the announcement slip. The recovery is made by the tahsil on supply of information to them in village form number 12.

Mutation registers are maintained by the patwaris to record changes in Record of Rights.

Consolidation of Holdings

The scheme of Consolidation of Holdings has been introduced in the district and is supervised by the Assistant Consolidation Officer.

Remission Work

With a view to rationalising the prevailing rates of land revenue assessments in ex-jagir villages in the district, the State Government have sanctioned under Rule 76 of the Hyderabad Land Revenue Rules, remissions in the rates varying from Re. 0.06 paise to Re. 0.59 paise per rupee of assessment in respect of 56 ex-Jagir villages [Under Government Resolution. R. D. No. SRL-4559 (Bhir), dated 5-2-60.] in addition to the remission granted in the past by the ex-Hyderabad State.