REVENUE ADMINISTRATION

LAND RECORDS DEPARTMENT

Land Records.

The district of Wardha formed part of the dominion of Bhosles till 1853. During a short period from 1818 to 1830 it was administered by the British Government. It was escheated to British in 1854. The British introduced the Summary Settlement and defined the rights of the Rayats vis-a-vis the Patels. It was also ruled that a cultivator who was a " Kadim-Jotdar " and had effected permanent improvements like construction of wells, embankments, etc. would hold it on the same rate of rent (assessment) as before. The summary settlements were abandoned for a long term settlement of 30 years, with the grant of proprietary rights to the Patels. The status of Malik, Makbuza, absolute occupancy and simple occupancy, however, still prevailed.

The land revenue system prevalent in Wardha district is rayatwari and is based on a complete survey, soil classification and settlement of assessment of every field.

Original settlement based on regular survey was first begun in 1858, concluded in 1866 and the first revision was made between 1892 and 1894. But owing to succession of poor harvests which included the famine years of 1896 and 1897 and 1899 and 1900, first revenue survey was confirmed in 1903 and guaranteed upto 1910-1912. The entire district was due for second revision in 1930-32 like other districts in Vidarbha region. Though revision settlement and enhancement of assessment was justified, Government postponed the operations pending the enactment of the Madhva Pradesh Land Revenue Code. The enactment of Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1954, was soon followed by States reorganisation and the question of (second) revision settlement in the whole of the State has been dropped for the time being.

Survey.

In this district the theodolite framework known as " Gale's closed traverse" was begun in 1887 and completed in 1889. Cadastral survey and preparation of maps was completed between 1888 and 1891. Detailed cadastral maps were drawn on a scale of 10 chains to an inch or 16" to a mile by plane table method. The village maps thus prepared was the only record available. English acre was the unit of area. Due to the introduction of metric system of weights and measures in the Land Records department, the work of conversion of final survey records from fool pound system to metric system is in progress in the district.

Village, Tahsil and District, mape for Surveyed Villages.

After a survey settlement of village or tahsil, a map is prepared and attached to settlement records. In this map separate plots of land as assigned to each tenant or cultivator are shown and the same numbers are referred to the khasara numbers allotted, not only to each plot of land which is actually brought under cultivation, but also to all lands cultivable or uncultivable, rivers, nallas, hills and mountains. Two maps were prepared at the time of each settlement, one called the " reference map"' deposited in the district record room and the other " working map" given to the Patwari for his day to day maintenance. From these village maps, tahsil maps and district map were drawn on a scale 1"=2 miles.

Soil classification.

The soil classification (as in the districts of former Bombay State) has been primarily devised for the equitable distribution of assessment. In Wardha district, the soils are denoted by common names by which the cultivators themselves recognise them such as kali, awal or doyam, morand awal or doyam, khardi, etc.

The depth and quality of soil alongwith the productivity of land is primarily considered as also its position i.e.,layout of surface, irrigation, embankments, advantages such as proximity to village site from which it receives manures, nearness to jungle, etc. Faults recognised in Bombay system like valsar, chunkhad, gochu, reswat, etc., are not recognised as they stand included in the particular class of land separately recognised as for example kali I would mean kali without fault while kali II would mean kali with fault.

The Soil Unit system.

During the revision survey, large fields (30,400.50 acres) were sub divided according to differences in soils and each sub-division was given a separate number. This was further sub-divided according to differences both in soil and position. During revision average rates were adopted for individual villages instead of rating all the villages in a group or pargana according to a single scale of group or pargana rates. The settlement was carried out on principles set forth in para 59 of the final report of Land Revenue Settlement of Wardha district effected during 1891-1894. It was according to soil unit system prescribed in the districts in Central Provinces.

Settlement and Assessment.

Before the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code came into force the settlement procedure as prescribed under the Settlement Code of the Central Provinces Land Revenue Act of 1891, was followed. This Act after being in force for nearly 35 years was repealed by the Central Provinces Land Revenue Act, 1917, and subsequently by the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code of, 1954 (II of 1955). Under the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1954, settlement indicates the result of the operations of Revenue Survey carried out in order to determine the Land Revenue payable on all agricultural lands and the period during which such results are to be enforced is called the term of settlement (Sec. 55). This period is in no case less than 20 years [Section 80 (2)].

Similarly the Settlement Officer appointed by the State Government under Section 59 (1) is required to examine fully the past revenue history of the area under settlement with a view to assessing the general effect of the existing incidence of assessment on economic conditions of the area during the period of current settlement with particular reference to the various statistical data available.

The Settlement Officer collects information in respect of the following matters in the manner prescribed under Section 70 and rules under Section 73 by local inquiries in as many villages as possible.

(1) Position of the group and the number of villages which it contains.

(2) Important natural features, communications and trade.

(3) Population.

(4) Soils and distinctive features in the system of agriculture in the group.

(5) Cultivation, irrigation and the number of ploughs.

(6) Cropping pattern.

(7) Distribution of the occupied area between different classes of holders of land.

(8) History of assessment and the present pressure of assessment of soil class.

(9) Appreciation of the general circumstances of the group with special reference to—

(a) whether the area under cultivation has expanded or contracted;

(b) whether the existing assessment has been collected with care or not;

(c) whether the material conditions of the people are prosperous or otherwise;

(d) markets and communications;

(e) history of prices of main staple crops;

(f) settling and letting values of land, consideration paid for leases, sale prices of land and principal money on mortgages;

(g) figures of profits of cultivation; and

(h) such other factors as may be directed to be dealt with under separate instructions.

(10) Extent of enhancement, if any, and the justifiable standard rate.

(11) Estimated increase in the revenue demand as a result of settlement proposals and proposed term of settlement.

The standard rates approved by the State Government are to be so fixed that the aggregate enhanced assessment on the agricultural lands will not exceed the existing assessment by 50 per cent. as laid down under Section 76 (6) of the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code.

The assessment of a holding in which improvements have been effected at any time during the period of the current settlement or at the expense of the holder thereof is fixed as if no such improvements had been made under Section 76 (6), in order to induce the cultivators to invest money for improvement of their lands.

The Settlement Officer formulates his proposals on the above basis and submits his proposals to the State Government in statements 1 and 2 prescribed by rules made under Section 73.

The assessment is fixed khatawise and on the whole due consideration is given to the practical side of fixation of assessment with a view to its unimpeded recovery during the period of settlement. But this practice of fixing the rent is found to be disregarded and reduced to the minimum during the recent settlements. Assessments, whether original or revised, are notified in the village in form ' C ' and are proclaimed by beat of drums in the village concerned at least a fortnight prior to the date specified for such a declaration. During the announcement of assessment of each survey number any errors in area or assessment of any holding due to mistake of survey or mathematical miscalculations pointed out by any person are corrected.

Provision is made for putting forth any objections by the agriculturists and the notice of the intention of the State Government to make settlement from duly published together with the proposals based on the forecast for determination of revenue survery [Section 63 (2)].

The forecasts and the proposals together with the objections received thereunder from agriculturists and other persons interested are placed before each of the two houses of the State Legislature before issuing the notification of proposed revenue survey (Section 64).

On approval of the proposals regarding the factor scale and assessment rates under rule 27 made under Section 87 of the Code, assessment on each holding in calculated. The revised assessment is not to exceed the prior assessment by more than 50 per cent. The unit rate suited to each village is fixed in the group. This unit rate multiplied by the factor of each class of soil will be the acreage rate applicable to the village and on this basis of acreage rate the deduced assessments on individual holdings will be calculated and final figures of assessment eventually fixed (rule 28 under Section 87).

A settlement ordinarily remains in force for 30 years [Section 80(7)] but the State Government, may, for reasons to be recorded in detail, fix the term which may be less than 30 years but which in no case be less than 20 years [Section 80(2)].

The Settlement Officer prepares the following papers (Section 45):—

(a) Khewat or statement of persons possessing proprietary rights in the talsil including inferior proprietors' leases or mortgages in possession speciyling the nature and extent of the interest of each.

(b) Khasara or field book, in which are entered the names of all persons cultivating or occupying the land, the rights in which it is held, and the rent, if any, payable.

(c) Jamabandi or lists of persons cultivating or occupying land in the village.

(d) Field map of the village except when otherwise directed.

(e) The village administration paper (Wajib-ul-arz).

(f) Such other papers as may be prescribed under the rules.

Every record of right must necessarily contain (a) Khetwat, (b) Khasara, (c) Jamabandi and (d) Field map. Prior to the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 1954, no Record of Rights was introduced in the district.

Record of Rights.

In the districts of Nagpur, Wardha, Chanda and Bhandara only interim Record of Rights was introduced as per Section 115 (1) of the Code. The full-fledged Record of Rights under Section 103 is yet to be prepared. The Record of Rights under Sections 103 and 115(1) of the Code includes:—

(a) names of all persons other than tenants, who are holders of land;

(b) names of all occupancy tenants and protected lessee and other tenants;

(c) nature and extent of the respective interests of such persons and the conditions of liabilities, if any, attached thereto;

(d) rent or land revenue, if any, payable by such persons; and

(e) such other particulars as may be prescribed.

The provisions of the Central Provinces Grazing and Nistar Act, 1948, specify the rights of public in Government land. As per Section 3(1) of the Act, the right of a resident of a village in respect of cattle grazing and collection of jungle produce (called as Nistar rights) are regulated. From 15th August 1967, the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 (Act No. XL1 of 1966), has come into force in all she districts of Maharashtra State.

Functions.

Functions of the Land Records Department are as follows:—

(i) To maintain all surrey, classification and settlement records up-to-date by keeping careful note of all changes by conducting field operations preliminary to incorporation of the changes in the survey records,

(ii) To collect and provide statistical information necessary for the sound administration of all matters connected with land,

(iii) To simplify the procedure and reduce the cost of litigation in revenue matters and civil courts by providing reliable survey and other land records for the purposes,

(iv) To supervise the preparation and maintenance of Record of Rights up-to-date by periodical inspection and maintenance and repairs of boundary marks of individual fields.

(iv) To conduct periodical revision settlement operations,

(iv) To organise and carry out surveys of village sites on an extensive scale and arrange for their proper maintenance,

(vii) To maintain up-to-date all the village maps by incorporating all necessary changes as and when they occur,

(viii) To maintain all tahsil maps up-to-date, to reprint them and to arrange for their distribution to various departments for administrative purposes and for sale to public, and

(ix) To train the revenue officers in survey and settlement matters.

District Inspector of Land Records-

The District Inspector of Land Records, Wardha, is the principal  District officer in charge of the Land Records department in the district. He is a gazetted officer (of Tahsildar's rank) appointed by the Settlement Commissioner and Director of Land Records and is directly subordinate to the Superintendent of Land Records, Nagpur circle, Nagpur. He is also subordinate to the Collector of Wardha and the Regional Deputy Director of Land Records, Nagpur, and has to carry out all administrative orders of these officers in the matter of survey and land records.

His subordinate staff comprises:

(a) an Assistant Superintendent of Land Records (non-gazetted),

(b) one District surveyor and 8 Cadastral surveyors for field work,

(c) one Assistant Superintendent of Land Records (Head Quarter Assistant), 4 Clerks for office work and one Basta Bardar in the District survey office,

(d) 4 Nazul Maintenance Surveyors and 3 Assistant Nazul Maintenance Surveyors, and

(e) one Nimtandar and 10 Pot Hissa Survey measurers under him.

The staff shown under (a), (b), (c) and (e) works directly under the District Inspector of Land Records, Wardha and that shown under (d) under the Revenue officers in charge of Nazul offices.

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

(a) to supervise and take a field test of the measurement, classification and pot hissa work done by the District, Cadastral, Nazul Maintenance surveyors and pot hissa surveyors;

(b) to exercise check over the proper and prompt disposal of all measurement and other work done by the survey staff and the District survey office establishment by scrutinizing their diaries and monthly statements;

(c) to take a small test of work of as many Circle Inspectors and village officers as possible with a view to seeing that they understand their duties in respect of (i) Record of Rights, (ii) the tenancy and crop register, (iii) the boundary marks repairs work, etc. During his village inspections the District Inspector of Land Records sees that the Government waste lands are not being unauthorisedly used (his test is meant to be qualitative and not merely quantitative);

(d) to compile the huzur statistics,

(e) to maintain the accounts and watch the recovery of the Nazul survey and pot hissa dues;

(f) to inspect the Nazul survey offices every year and to send inspection notes (in triplicate) to the Superintendent of Land Records who forwards one copy to the Deputy Director of Land Records, Nagpur and one to Nazul officer through the Collector with his remarks;

(g) to arrange in consultation with the Collector concerned for the training of the junior I.A.S. officers and District Deputy Collectors, the candidates for the posts of Mamlatdars and Circle Inspectors and Talathis in survey and settlement matters; and

(h) to advise revenue officers in the district in all technical matters concerned with the maintenance of survey records and record of rights.

District Cadastral and Maintenance Surveyors.

Previously there were no posts of Cadastral Surveyors. The posts have been created in 1964 in the revised set up of Land Records department sanctioned by Government after separation of revenue items from Land Records department in this area and their services have been placed under the direct supervision of the District Inspector of Land Records.

Revenue Inspectors.

The staff of Revenue Inspectors is primarily meant:

(1) to assist the Revenue officers in the up-to-date maintenance of the village records and Land Records kept at the village level;

(2) to assist the Revenue administration. They are, therefore, under the supervision of the District Inspector of Land Records and are controlled by the Collector. They supervise the work of village officers. Their technical work of maintenance of Land Records at the village level is supervised by the District Inspector of Land Records.

City and Town Survey.

City survey has been introduced in the district under Section 64 of the Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code. The survey records viz., khasara measurement sheets and demand registers are prepared and are regularly maintained.

Nazul surveys were carried out at Wardha, Pulgaon, Deoli and Arvi during the year 1924 and at Hinganghat in 1918. Terms of their settlement have expired and revision of assessment has become overdue. Action for the same is in progress.

The Assistant Consolidation Officer, Wardha, is the district officer entrusted with the preparation and execution of the consolidation schemes. He is a gazetted officer of the cadre of the District Inspector of Land Records and is required to work under the control of the Consolidation Officer, Nagpur.

The following statement gives the position of land revenue collections in the district from 1961-62 to 1966-69.

STATISTICS OF LAND REVENUE COLLECTIONS, WARDHA DISTRICT
FROM 1961-62 to 1966-67

*Figures for 1965-66 and 1966-67 show total demand including previous arrears.

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