REVENUE DEPARTMENT

POLICY NOTE 2001-2002

CHAPTER -1

INTRODUCTION

Revenue Department  is the oldest of all administrative departments and a number of new departments have branched off from it. It remains as the backbone  of the administration and its contribution to the orderly social development is immense. 

2.  After the abolition of Board of Revenue in December 1980, Revenue and Land Administration  were entrusted to three functional Commissioners viz. Commissioner of Revenue Administration, Commissioner of Land Administration and Commissioner of Land Reforms at the State Level. 

3. The Revenue Department is the custodian of all lands and it is concerned with all land disposals. The work relating to land acquisition, land assignment, land lease, alienation of land, updating and maintenance of land Revenue Records, grant of Pattas, Land Reforms, Land Ceiling, Levy and Collection of Urban Land Tax and Agricultural Income Tax are looked after by the Revenue Department.

 4. The Revenue Department steps in readily for alleviating the sufferings of the people during times of natural calamities, issues warnings about the floods and cyclones to the public. The Department assists the affected people till normalcy returns.

 5. All the functions enumerated above are carried out by a long hierarchy of officers in the Districts headed by the Collectors and assisted by the District Revenue Officers, Revenue Divisional Officers, Tahsildars, Deputy Tahsildars, Revenue Inspectors, Village Administrative Officers and supporting ministerial staff.

 CHAPTER -2

LAND REVENUE

            Land  Revenue denotes the basic assessment of land fixed with reference to sort, soil and taram of the land.  Local Cess, Local Cess Surcharge, Additional Assessment and Additional Water Cess are levied on the basic land revenue which form an integral part of Land Revenue Assessment .  With effect  from 1.7.67, the basic assessment on all dry lands was waived.  Likewise, from  1.7.71 onwards, the land revenue component of the consolidated wet assessment  was also waived in respect of individual holding of 5 acres of wet land and less.

           2. The collection of land revenue is done by persuasion.  From 1989, distraint proceedings are not resorted to in the collection of land revenue.  This  was extended upto Fasli 1403 (1993) in view of heavy damages to the crops  on account of flood and cyclone.  In December 1994, the Government directed that there should be no hesitation in  launching  coercive action in respect of pattadars having arrears of Land Revenue of Rs.10,000/- and more and who have not been affected by natural calamities.  However, in letter (Ms) No.375, Revenue Department, dt. 10.7.2000, the Government have directed that distraint proceedings should not be initiated without orders of the Government.

             3.  During the last financial year, the levy of track rent for laying pipe lines for irrigation purpose was abolished.

REMISSION

(1) Seasonal Remission

A ryot who desires to be granted remission must apply in writing to the Revenue Officer concerned specifying the fields for which he desires remission.  Then on the basis of observations of the Azmoish Officer, remission will be  allowed by the authorised Revenue Officer.  In respect  of seasonal remission, the remission of cess and additional cess is not given to the affected ryots.

 (2) Suspension / remission of land revenue under exceptional circumstances

 In very exceptional circumstances, i.e. on the occurence of either widespread calamities such as famine, drought  and general failure of crops over large tracts, suspension or remission of assessment may be allowed by the Government.  In such cases, the collection of arrears of Land Revenue and Government loans are also postponed to the next Fasli year.  In case remission is given for crop yield of 50 percent production or below, the collection of arrears of Land Revenue, Local Cess and Local Cess surcharge and Government loans due during the fasli shall be postponed to the next Fasli year.

CHAPTER -3

AGRICULTURAL INCOME TAX

In Tamil Nadu, the Agricultural Income-Tax Act came into force in the year 1955.  Under this Act, the tax was levied on the Agricultural Income derived from plantation crops.  Later, in the year 1958,amendments were brought in levying tax on agricultural income derived from Non-Plantation crops also. 

2. As a measure of relief to small farmers, the levy of Agricultural Income Tax on Non-Plantation crops was taken away from 1-4-1992 by Amendment Act 40/91. The Agricultural Income-Tax is now levied on Plantation crops only (i.e) Rubber, Coffee, Tea, Cardamom, Arecanut, Cloves and Pepper.  The assessees holding over and above 8 acres are attracted by Tamil Nadu Agricultural Income Tax Act, 1955 with effect from 1.4.1992.  In the compounding system, compounding is permitted from 8 ordinary acres upto 50 ordinary acres.

 3. Provisions of self-assessment and advance tax payment are made available from the assessment year 1992-93.  The income exemption limit in force is Rs.28,000/-. The work of collection of arrears on non-plantation crops has been entrusted to Taluk Tahsildars with effect from 1.6.1992. 

CHAPTER - 4

URBAN LAND TAX

The Tamil Nadu Urban Land Tax Act was introduced on  1.7.1963 to augment revenue to Government and to discourage people from  owning large  areas of  land.  It applied to Chennai City only.  Subsequently, it was extended to Madurai, Coimbatore, Salem and Tiruchirapalli 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 based on the market value of the Urban Land as on the 1ST July 1971.

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

               TOWNSHIPS (NOW  MUNICIPALITIES)

Kodaikanal,      Mettur

 3. 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

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

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

 (i)   Lands owned by the Central and State Governments.

 (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.

     (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. 

6. The lands used for cultivation are also 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. 

7. The Government have also granted tax concessions to the following institutions: 

(i) Industires having Small Scale Industries Certificates are granted 25% tax concessions while other industries are granted  10% concessions. 

(ii) All Music and Dramatic sabhas are granted 50% tax  concessions.

(iii) Cinema Theatres are granted 10% tax concessions. 

(iv) Lands notified  as slums are granted full concessions and

(v)  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 appeals against assessment and levy  of Urban land Tax and to provide relief to the public, Government have since appointed the District Revenue officers of the respective Districts as Tribunals. For Chennai City, District Revenue Officer (Tribunal) Land Reforms Department, Chepauk, Chennai-5 acts as the Tribunal.

CHAPTER -5

LAND  ADMINISTRATION

All the Government lands including those vested with the various Departments of the State Government are  administered by the Revenue Department.  The Government  lands are given to private individuals, various Government/Quasi Government organisations by way of assignment, transfer, alienation and lease.  As the availability of the Government lands is getting reduced day by day, Government has to examine every proposal for grant of  land very carefully.

(A) ASSIGNMENT

Assignment of Government lands falls under 2 categories, i.e. one for house site and the other for agricultural purposes.

 (i) Assignment of  house sites

The Policy of the  Government  is to provide this basic amenity viz shelter for upliftment of the economically weaker sections of the society.  Revenue Department helps people by assigning house sites to eligible persons wherever land is available.

 2. Assignment of house site is  done 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.  House sites assignments are made only in favour of wife of the head of the family or women members of the families as a measure of women empowerment.  Presently for house sites an extent of three cents in villages, one and a half cents in Municipal limits and one cent of land in Corporation limits is assigned,  In the allotment of house sites  the following  order of preference is being followed:- 

(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) Destitute Women and Widows.

(vii) Landless Poor. 

3. A one time  scheme for issue of House sites pattas by way of regularising the encroachments on Government lands (which are not required for the Government) mostly  by poor people was implemented from March.2000 to March 2001. Under this scheme, 1,95,957 house sites pattas were issued . 

4. For speedy and   quick disposal of assignment cases, Revenue Officers are delegated with powers for House sites assignment with the  following  monetary limits.

 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

(ii) Assignment of cultivable lands

Agriculture plays an important role in our economy.  People in the villages are mostly dependent on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood.  But all cannot own lands by their means.  Even prior  to the introduction of agrarian reform schemes, Government have been assigning lands to the  poor and downtrodden.  By these measures the twin objective 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.  Assignment of land for agriculture is made under Revenue Standing Order 15.

 2. Assignment is given free to poor person.  A person is considered to be 'poor' when his family's annual income is Rs.12,000/- and below.  The same order of priority is followed as in the case of house site assignment.

 3. The maximum extent that can be assigned, except in Kannyakumari District, including what the assignee otherwise owns, should not be more than 3 acres of dry or one and a half 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.  Assigned lands should be  brought under cultivation within a period of three years from the  date of  assignment, and the lands should not be sold to others.  Besides, the assignee should plant atleast 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.

 4.  Lands reserved for communal 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.

 5.  In order to prevent soil erosion  and to maintain the ecological balance, the assignment of lands for cultivation in all the hilly areas  of the state have been banned. As Government  are in need of lands in and around major cities for  development schemes of various  departments,  assignments in Chennai and its belt areas and in  Corporation limits have been banned.

6. The Government  have delegated the  same powers to Revenue Officers for assignment of cultivable lands as in the case of House site assignments with the monetary limits.

 (B)  LEASE

Government lands are normally allotted to individuals, private bodies, companies and local bodies on lease basis for specified period for non-agricultural purposes, under the provisions of R.S.O-24-A.

 2. The Government  have fixed  the lease rent on land value for adoption as furnished below:- 

 The normal period  of lease is 3 years at a time.  However, maximum period of lease granted on any Government land is for a period of 30 years.  The lease rent is revisable once in 3 years.

3. The monetary powers for Revenue Officers for leasing out Government  lands under R.S.O. 24-A are as indicated  below:-

Officers                                                 Monetary limit

Tahsildar                                             ..                          Nil

Revenue Divisional Officer                    ..    Upto Rs.     20,000

Collector/District Revenue Officer         ..    Upto  Rs.     50,000

Commissioner of Land Administration  ..    Upto  Rs.   2,00,000

Government                                      ..    Above Rs.   2,00,000

 (C)  TRANSFER OF LAND

The lands and buildings are  transferred to Central Government Departments under the provisions of Revenue Standing order 23 on collection of market value.  However, the Government lands for the Mass Rapid Transit System at Chennai are transferred to the Railways  Department free of cost.

 2. Generally, lands are transferred to the State Government Department under the provision of Revenue Standing Order 23-A, free of cost when it is for non-commercial purposes like schools, buildings, hospitals, primary health centres etc., But land value is ordered to be collected  when the lands are transferred  for a commercial purpose.

 3. The Collectors are empowered to transfer unobjectionable poramboke lands and lands not coming under banned category to the State Government Departments to the minimum extent, irrespective of the land value, in consultation with the public works department and other departments concerned. When the lands allotted to the Departments are not fully utilised for the purpose for which they are transferred, such  lands are resumed by the Revenue Department and allotted to any other  needy Departments.

 (D) ALIENATION OF LAND

Government lands are alienated for public purposes and to promote general welfare of the society at large, under R.S.O.24 to Government  undertakings, local bodies, Universities or private institutions for Electricity Sub stations, Bus stands, Information Technology parks, tenements, markets, roads, schools, hospitals etc., subject  to certain conditions. Generally Government lands required for unremunerative  public purposes are alienated free of  cost and when they are required for commercial purposes, market value of the land is collected.  Poramboke lands are alienated to the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board for construction of Slum tenements free of land value and for other  purposes, a nominal value of Rs.5,000/- per ground only is collected.  Provisions are available  in R.S.O. for resumption of lands without any compensation, if there are violations of conditions of alienation.

CHAPTER -6

EVICTION  OF  ENCROACHMENTS

Available  lands are to be put to best use like assignments to eligible poor and used for other development schemes and public purposes.  In this context, encroachment on Government  lands has to be curbed as a policy.  However, 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 and their place in the order of priority.

 2. Encroachments in poramboke lands like water sources/ courses, grazing grounds, temple lands, Kalam etc. are considered as highly objectionable  and these encroachments have to be evicted.  The Revenue, the Public Works and Highways Departments authorities 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.

 3. 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 specific period:-

1) Collector                                           - Chair Person

2) Police (Dist. level officer)                    - Member

3) PWD (Concerned Executive Engineer
    of the Dist. Water Resources)             - Member

4) Highways - Division Engineer               - Member

5) Forest - District Forest Officer              - Member

 The Committee will meet once in a month and prepare a programme  to evict the encroachments.  The action of the above committee will be reviewed  by the Commissioner of Land Administration at  state level.

CHAPTER -7

TREE  PATTA SCHEME

The Tree Patta Scheme  (also known as 2C Patta) is under implementation in the State for several decades.  Under this scheme, the right to use the leaves, fruits and other usufructs of the trees standing on the Government  poramboke lands is granted to adjacent land owners or other  persons  who can take care of the trees.  But the right over the trees as well as the land, however, continues to vest with Government. Women belonging  to depressed classes are given preference under Tree Patta Scheme. Conditions for selection and eligibility of beneficiaries for issue of 2C pattas are as follows:-

(a) Residents of the village/habitation.

(b) Residents of the adjacent village, if the village is an uninhabited one.

(c) Generally residing within one Kilometer from the site of trees to enable the 2C pattadar to maintain the
                 trees.

(d)The adjacent pattadars in preference to others, wherever the trees are in isolated patches of lands.

CHAPTER-8

LAND ACQUISITION

 Lands required for the need of Central and State Governments are  acquired  under  the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Central Act 1/1894). 

            2. Generally three years are required for acquiring land under the Land Acquisition Act. But, under provisions of the  urgency Clause under section 17(1), lands can be acquired in 15 days and under section 17(2), lands can be acquired immediately.            

3. PERT Chart prescribing the time limit was introduced in order to quicken the land acquisition process.           

4. Without acquiring lands under the Land Acquisition Act, lands to the value of Rs.20/- lakhs can be purchased from the land owners by the District Level Committee by private negotiation.  The State Level Committee is empowered to  purchase lands whose value is above  Rs.20/- lakhs. Purchasing lands through private negotiation is helpful in several ways to achieve the objectives of land acquisition as follows:-

 (a)     The land could be taken possession immediatley for implementing the scheme.

 (b)     The inherent delays noticed in the acquisition of lands could be avoided.

 (c)     The expenditure incurred on publication of 4(1) notification and draft declaration under section 6 in the dailies is saved.

 (d)     There would be no court cases challenging the land acquisition causing abnormal delay in the process and no payment of enhanced compensation is involved; and

 (e)     The award amount is  given straight away in a lumpsum.

 5. Both the District level 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. 

6. In order to acquire the land quickly required for industries, the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, 1997 was enacted by the Government separately.  Draft Rules are framed under the Act. Action has been taken to bring into force both the Act and the Rules simultaneously.

CHAPTER -9

LAND REFORMS

            The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of  Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 (Tamil Nadu Act 58/61) was enacted 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.

           2. The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961 came into effect on the 6th 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 of 60 standard acres.  As on the date of the commencement of the Act (i.e.) 6.4.1960 any female member of the family having lands in her own name, will be entitled to hold "Stridhana property" upto a ceiling of 10 standard acres.

           3. With a view to increasing the number of beneficiaries, reduction of ceiling on land was introduced by the Government during the year 1970, by amending the parent Act,  58/61 to the effect that the ceiling area fixed earlier at 30 standard acres was reduced to 15 standard acres by amended Act 17/70.

           4. The overall ceiling limit of 60 standard acres, as fixed under the Parent Act 58/61 was also refixed at 40 standard acres through an amended Act called the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Second Amendment Act,1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 20/72).  This Act  came into effect from 1.3.1972.

           5. Subsequently, by another amended Act, viz., Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 39/72) the overall ceiling limit was further reduced from 40 standard acres to 30 standard acres.  This Act also came into effect on the 1st day of March 1972.  Even though Trusts were not attracted by the provisions of the Parent Act 58/61, ceiling limit was fixed for Trusts through the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Third Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act No.37/72) according to the character of the Trusts.  To sum up, 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 at the rate not exceeding 3 acres of dry land or 1 ½ acres of wet lands under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Disposal of Surplus Land) Rules, 1965.

TENANCY LAWS

(a) Protection from eviction

(i)  The Tamil Nadu  Cultivating Tenants Protection Act,1955(Tamil Nadu Act 25/1955) lays  down that no cultivating tenant shall be evicted from his holdings, except for the 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 agricultural or denial of the title of the land owner to the land.  No land  can be resumed by the land owners(other than those  belonging to the Armed Forces) except on the grounds mentioned above.

 (ii) Certain areas in this State have been  affected by drought and floods in recent years  and agriculturists have lost their crops and are unable to pay the lease rent.   Hence, they face eviction for default in payment of lease rent.  In order to protect  the cultivating tenants  who are in arrears with reference to the rent payable to the landlords, the Government  enacted the Tamil Nadu Cultivating Tenants (Protection from Eviction) Act,1997,(Tamil Nadu Act,20/97). The Act provides some relief to the cultivating tenants in the drought and flood affected areas in the State by postponing the collection of arrears of lease rent due to the landlord on or  before the 30th day of June 1996 and outstanding on the date of publication of the Act (i.e), 25.4.1997 or rent payable for the fasli year ending with the 30th day of June 1997 or both, for a period upto 30th June 1999.  However, the relief  provided under  this Act was not  extended beyond 30.6.99.  The Act also provides that the tenants may not be evicted for non-payment of the said lease amount during the period of postponement. The Act was made  applicable to all the districts except 6 districts (i.e)  Vellore, Theni, The Nilgiris, Erode, Namakkal and Dharmapuri, since they were not affected by flood and drought.

 (b) Fixation of fair rent

            The Tamil Nadu Cultivating Tenants (Payment of Fair Rent) Act, 1956 (Tamil Nadu Act 24/1956)  provides for the fixation of the  fair rent payable by the cultivating tenant to the land owner/public trust at 25 percent of the gross produce.  The landowner pays the land revenue and other dues on the land, while the tenant bears the expenses of cultivation.

 (c) Regulation of Lands held by Trusts

The Tamil Nadu Public Trusts (Regulation and Administration of Agricultural Land) Act  1961(Tamil Nadu Act 57/61) has been enacted  for the regulation and administration of agricultural lands held by the public trusts in the State.  No public trust can cultivate land in excess of 20 standard acres under Pannai Cultivation.  If any land in excess of 20 standard   acres is held by the public trust under Pannai cultivation, it is liable for  lease to bonafide tenants.

(d)  Payment of Fair Wages

Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Fair Wages Act, 1969(Tamil Nadu Act 19 of 1969) provides for payment of Fair Wages to agricultural labourers of Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts for various types of work in the agricultural sector. In G.O.Ms.No. 42, Revenue (LR.1) Department, dated 27.1.2000 the Government  have enhanced the rates of wages payable  to the agricultural labourers as follows:-

(e) Record of Tenancy

            The Tamil Nadu Agricultural Lands (Record of Tenancy Rights) Act, 1969 (Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1969) provides for the registration of the names of the persons cultivating agricultural land belonging to land owners and public trusts in the State.  The Taluk Tahsildar, who  is the Record Officer for the purposes of this Act, has to prepare a Record of Tenancy Rights to safeguard the interest of the tenants.  Section 4 of the Act empowers the Record Officers to take suo moto action for registering the tenants.  Section 5-A of the Act provides for the constitution of a non-official Advisory Committee at the Taluk level.  Each committee consists of one landless agricultural labourer belonging to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, one tenant  and three social workers, and it  assists the Record Officer in the preparation of the Record of Tenancy Rights. 

(f) Conferment of ownership

(i) The Tamil Nadu Occupants of Kudiyiruppu (Conferment of ownership) (Tamil Nadu Act 40/71) Act,1971 provides for occupancy rights to agriculturists or agricultural labourers who were occupying the Kudiyiruppu (Homesteads) as on the 19th June 1971, as tenants or licensees and such Kudiyiruppu shall vest with them absolutely free from all  encumbrances provided they have no house site. The time limit was extended upto 1st April, 1990 through enactment of Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1990. 

(ii) The Tamil Nadu Rural Artisans (Conferment of ownership of Kudiyiruppu) Act,1976 (Act 38 of 1976) provides for the conferment of ownership on rural artisans occupying Kudiyiruppu in the State as on the 1st July 1975 either as tenant or as licensee, provided they have no house site.  The time limit was extended upto 1st April 1990 (Act 39/1990)

Constitution of Land Tribunal

 With a view to expediting the disposal of land reforms cases ,Land Tribunals presided over by an officer in the rank of  District Revenue Officer were constituted at Madurai and Thanjavur from the year 1979. The Land Tribunal at Madurai was disbanded and merged with Land Tribunal, Thanjavur from the year 1989.  At present, one  Land Tribunal at Chennai is functioning for the entire State.

 2. The Tamil Nadu Land Reforms Special Appellate Tribunal was constituted with effect from 1.11.90 and the writ jurisdiction of the High Court in matters relating to Land Reforms and Civil Revision petitions was transferred to this Tribunal. 

 3. The Supreme Court has however recently held that the decisions of the Tribunals are subject to the writ jurisdiction of the High Court of the area, before a Division Bench.

REVENUE COURTS

There are six Revenue Courts functioning in the State - Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Trichy and Madurai under the control of Special Deputy Collectors.  The Special Deputy Collectors (Revenue Courts) are 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 Ownership of Kudiyiruppu) Act, 1976.

CHAPTER -10

URBAN LAND CEILING

 As there was a need for  decentralisation of agricultural lands from the hands of a few landlords and their distribution to landless  poor in rural areas, there was also a need to bring about equitable distribution of Urban Lands.  With this view, the Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978 (Tamil Nadu Act 24 of 1978) was enacted.  Thereby a ceiling on vacant land in the urban agglomerations of Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Salem  and  Tirunelveli was fixed to prevent concentration of urban lands in the hands of a few persons, who might resort to speculations and indiscriminate dealings in the purchase and sale of lands. However, the Act did not bring the desired result.  It had,  on the  contrary, pushed up urban land prices and affected industrial development and housing  industry.  During the implementation of the Act, there was a spate of litigations giving  rise to serious hurdles in taking over possession of excess vacant lands by the state  Government.  Public opinion was nearly  unanimous that the Act had not been effective at all as expected and it had to be repealed in the overall interest and development of the State.

 2. The Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1978 was repealed  by the Tamil Nadu Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Repeal Act, 1999   (Tamil Nadu Act 20/99) with effect from 16.6.1999. The Repeal Act did 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 exempted under Section 21(1) of  the Principal Act. Whenever, violation of conditions of exemptions is noticed, prompt  actions are taken to issue notices to the exemptees for resumption of lands.

           3. An extent  of 2469 Hectares of excess vacant lands were acquired under the Principal Act. Out of the above, an extent of 109 Hectares is covered by Court cases.  Government  have allotted an extent  of 339 Hectares of land to Government  Departments, Corporations, Public Undertakings, Tamil Nadu Housing Board, Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board and other Institutions.  An extent of 538 Hectares are covered by encroachment.  An extent  of 55 Hectares are covered by appeal cases.  An extent  of 1428 Hectares of land  are available for allotment.

           4. In   view of the repeal of the Tamil Nadu Urban Land Ceiling Act, the Government examined  in detail, the question of allotment of the lands acquired under that Act  and also regularisation of encroachments in those lands and issued orders in G.O.Ms.No.353, Revenue dated 30.6.2000 as below:-

 I) Excess  vacant lands acquired in the urban areas, and which are free from encroachment should 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 Organisations like Electricity  Board, Transport and State Government undertakings like Tamil Nadu Housing Board and Government Departments. 

ii) The Urban Surplus  lands which remain unallotted will be brought  for sale through Tender-cum-Auction procedure.

 iii) The surplus Urban Lands which are vested with the Government  but are under  encroachment will be regularised by  following   the decision taken in G.O.Ms.No.168, Revenue dated 27.3.2000. 

iv) If the surplus urban lands  which are under encroachment and are used for commercial purpose  double the guideline value should be collected from the encroachers before regularisation of such lands. 

5. Besides, the Government have also ordered to regularise the lands purchased for residential purposes upto 1½  grounds, innocently, without  knowing application of Urban Land Ceiling Act to these lands by paying certain value as fixed by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.649, Revenue dated 29.7.1998.

CHAPTER -11

ABOLITION OF INTERMEDIARIES AND CONVERSION INTO RYOTWARI TENURES

 Before Independence the Zamindars were collecting Kist  from Ryots in Zamin Areas and paying a portion to Government retaining a major portion for themselves for administrative expenditure and maintenance.

 2. After Independence, the Government introduced the following Acts with a view to bringing  large scale agrarian reforms, thereby abolishing all 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)

(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)

Almost  all the works under the above Acts except Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates  Abolition Act have been completed. 

             3. Under the Tamil Nadu Gudalur Janmam Estates Abolition Act, 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.  Against  dismissal order, a few filed appeals before the Supreme Court. In respect of Civil Appeals and Writ Appeals, the petitioners requested the Supreme Court to allow  them to withdraw their appeals submitting that they shall pursue  the applications they have arleady made to the State Government for a Ryotwari Patta under section 9 of the Act.  Accordingly, the Supreme Court of India, in  identical orders, dismissed all the appeals as withdrawn with a direction to State Government to dispose  off their applications under sections 9 or 17 of said Act. To dispose off the applications, the  District Revenue  Officer, Ooty has been appointed as Settlement Officer.Certain Civil Appeals and a writ petition have been referred to a larger bench consisting of 9 judges to decide the question of constitutional validity of the inclusion of the Act 24/1969 in Ninth Schedule to the Constitution. 

4. Under the various Abolition Acts, provision has been made for payment of (i) Compensation to the land holders and (ii) 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  while tasdic allowance is paid to the Institutions through District Revenue Officers concerned.  Tasdic Allowance is a recurring payment and to be paid annually so long as the Institution exists.

 CHAPTER -12

SURVEY AND LAND RECORDS AND MAINTENANCE

             The Survey and Land Records Department is one of the oldest departments of the State Administration and is primarily concerned with all matters pertaining to Cadastral Surveying and Mapping. The principal responsibility of the department consists of conducting survey both in rural and urban lands.  The department is charged with the task of the delimitation of boundaries of villages and holdings and the preparation of Village Maps, Field Measurement Books, Ward Maps, Block Maps,  Town survey Register in town survey and Land Registers.  The department is also responsible for the proper maintenance of Land Records and preservation of Survey frame work.   

 (i) NATHAM SURVEY

             There are 206 taluks in Tamil Nadu out of which 199 taluks have been  taken up for survey. Work has been completed in 193 taluks.

             Till 31.7.2001 an area of 4467 Sq.km. has been measured, 74,14,654 pattas issued benefitting 86,98,118 persons.

 (ii) TOWN SURVEY

            In Tamil Nadu, there are 6 corporations and 108 municipalities including townships.

             2. Town survey work has been taken up in 82 towns and 6 corporations, spread over in 30 districts.  The measurement work has been completed in 77 towns and 3 corporations and also partly in 1 corporation.  Survey work is in progress in 5 towns and 2 corporations. Till 31.07.2001 an area of 1639 Sq.km. has been completed under measurement and records  such as Ward Maps, Block Maps, Town survey registers etc., for an area of 1,525 Sq.km. have been handed over to Settlement for Special Officers' final check operation and revenue follow up work.

 (iii) HILL SURVEY

            Hill Survey has been taken up in 66 villages spread over in the following six hills, and measurement work has been completed in full:- 

1. (1)      Elagiri Hills in Vellore District;
2. (2)     Javadhi Hills in Thiruvannamalai District and Vellore district.
3. (3)     Pachamalai Hills in Thiruchirappalli District and  Salem District:
4. (4)     Kolli Hills in Salem District;
5. (5)     Aranuthumalai Hills in Salem District and
6. (6)     Anamalai Hills in Coimbatore District.

Till 31.07.2001 records for an area of 858 Sq.km. have been measured for follow up work.

 (iv)   INTER STATE BOUNDARY 

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, that has to be recognised by the adjoining states.  The joint verification under maintenance of each boundary is done once in every 10 years. 

The work involved and completed so far is as follows:

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

 In respect of  Tamil Nadu – Andhra Pradesh (578.8 Km) and Tamil Nadu – Karnataka (481.0 Km) joint verifications are yet to be taken up.

             In respect of Tamil Nadu – Pondichery, the stretch is spread over to 353.8 km.  Joint verification has been completed in 279.2 km and 84.6 km stretch is yet to be taken up for joint verification.

 Annual meetings at the level of the Commissioners are to be conducted during March of every year and that of Directors’ level, once in six months.

 MAINTENANCE OF REVENUE RECORDS AND REGISTRATION

             This department renders service to the general public in meeting their land requirements such as knowing their boundaries, recording their holdings in the revenue accounts, carrying out changes when divisions take place and furnishing field sketches by collecting the prescribed fees through the survey staff deployed in each taluk office.

             There are 30 district unit offices spread all over the State besides 1 Central Office at Chennai.  Information required by the public is being disseminated by the district unit offices. 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 nominal fee through the sales counters in the districts as well as in Central Survey Office at  Chennai.

 PRINTING FACILITIES

            Maps are printed in Black and White and six other colours in the Press attached to the Central Survey Office, Chennai.

            Modern techniques are being adopted for the preparation of maps by printing through “PHOTO ZINCO OR OFFSET PROCESS”.  Modern methods have already been introduced by supplying gadgets like Photo Copying Machines, Plan Printers, N.C.Scriber, Laminating Machines, Computer System, etc. for taking copies of maps.  The Government is considering the proposals for the modernisation of the press with latest printing technology.

 Several measures have been initiated to modernize the working of the department.  Modern equipments like Electronic Distance Measurement Instruments, Micro Optic Theodolites, Electronic scribers, etc. have been introduced.  Besides the regular maintenance work, the department as of now, implements the following Schemes:-

 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 from Government of India to the tune of Rs.722.06 lakhs during 1989-1996.

             Out of this, 50% of the project cost has been borne by  the State Government.  The amount has been utilised for purchase of modern equipments, strengthening of training infrastructure and construction of building, etc.  A sum of Rs.646 lakhs has been incurred under this scheme.

TENTH FINANCE COMMISSION GRANT

            The 10th Finance Commission under the upgradation grant sanctioned a sum of Rs.630.52 lakhs for construction of additional record rooms and provision of ancillary equipment for modernization.  Utilizing this amount, the Survey and Land Records department has constructed 32 buildings in the districts at an amount of  Rs.330.00 lakhs to preserve the land records.  As major records are processed and preserved at Central Survey Office at Chennai ,a Central Storage Office with ground and 3 floors has also been constructed at Chepauk in Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs.300.52  lakhs. The  building has been  inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister on 18.7.2001.

COMPUTERISATION OF LAND RECORDS

The programme of Computerisation of Land Records was initiated under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Computerisation of Land Records (CLR) in the year 1991. 

 Under the scheme, ‘A’ Registers and Chitta entries are digitised.  Initially, the scheme was introduced as a pilot project in Salem district in 1991-92.  The scheme was extended to the districts of Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli and Ramanathapuram in 1994-95 and to the districts of Coimbatore, Madurai, Thanjavur, Dindigul, Dharmapuri, and Cuddalore during 1995-97.  The scheme was extended to all the remaining districts in 1997-98. Infrastructure facilities were created in all the District National Informatic Centres located in the Collectorates to facilitate data entry work.  The District National Informatic Centres were provided with one Pentium based Unix Server with 10 to 16 terminals. The Government of India has released an amount of Rs.513.00 lakhs for the purpose of  creation of infrastructure facilities and for data entry in the taluks so far.  Out of this amount, a sum of Rs.464.44 lakhs has been spent so far.  The balance will be spent soon.  Similarly, a sum of Rs.714.00 lakhs was received from the Government of India for the procurement of hardware for all the 206 taluks and Rs.549.52 lakhs has been incurred towards procurement of hardware.  All the 206 taluks in the state have been supplied and provided with computer hardware and operationalised with effect from 31.3.2001 with the assistance of the staff trained for the purpose.

 The District Collectors of all the Districts have been instructed that top priority should be given to the Computerisation of Land Records programme so that they can take the lead in ushering e-Governance in the Districts.

 COMPUTER KIOSKS

            The Government of India have sanctioned an additional amount of Rs.164.48 lakhs under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Computerisation of Land Records.  With this additional amount released by the Government of India, steps are being taken urgently to install Computer Kiosks in select taluk offices in the State where touch screen Computer facilities will be provided. To begin with, 29 taluks (One Taluk per District except Chennai) have been selected for this purpose during the current year. This will enable people to access the desired information on their own and with great ease.

 TRAINING TO REVENUE/ SURVEY STAFF ON THE COMPUTERISATION OF LAND RECORDS SCHEME

 In pursuant to the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Computerisation of Land Records throughout the State, following Computerised services have been made available at the Taluk level.

            Land Records System
            Taluk Computerisation Programme
            Grievances Redressal Monitoring System
            Chief Minister’s Cell Petition Monitoring System
            Old Age Pensions Disbursement System
            Taluk Officers Review Reports
            Licenses Information on Gun, Cinema Theatre, etc.,
            Payroll system
            Seasonal Reports on Flood Situation
            DISNIC-PLAN database on Revenue Villages
            Hamlet Information system
            Support during Elections
            E-mail Services

            All the above computerised services are to be made available for the benefit  of the Public all the time and operation of the Computer System by all the Staff in Revenue and Survey Departments from the level of Deputy Collector down to Assistants is to be an essential part of the Computerisation of Land Records Scheme.  It has been decided that Computerisation of Land Records Scheme should be further strengthened by imparting training to the Revenue/Survey staff from Taluk to District levels.  For this, a training programme has been devised to impart computer training to an estimated 8,500 persons from the level of Deputy Collectors down to Assistant in Revenue/Survey Departments. This training programme would go a long way in the implementation  of the Computerisation of Land Records Scheme, as per the revised guidelines of the Government of India, in the matter of Computerisation of ownership and Plot wise details for issue of timely and accurate copy of the Record of Rights to the Land owners, creation of land information system and data base for helping in effective land reforms, revenue administration and development planning at the grass root level. 

DIGITISATION OF CADASTRAL MAPS (F.M.Bs.)

            Field Measurement Books  constitute an important component of Land Record.  Presently Field  Measurement Books are drawn  and maintained manually.  Digitisation of Field Measurement Books will result in:-

 Faster processing of the FMB/sketches including creation of new sub-divisions, modification of existing sketches, etc.,

Portability of data

Facility to draw the FMB sketches to different scales leading to higher clarity.

Quicker delivery of copies of FMBs to land owners.

Development of Cadastral based land information system.

Security of data and tamper proofing FMB records.

            With the financial assistance from the Government of India, Field Measurement Books and Village Maps have been digitized under two Pilot projects at a cost of Rs.124.36 lakhs in four taluks, namely Chengalpattu, Kodavasal, Erode and Gobichettipalayam.  The process of loading all the digitized 1.22 lakhs Field Measurement Books to the taluk computer centers and training of taluk staff in the day to day operation of digitized Field Measurement Books are under way.

             For the purpose of extending the scheme to the rest of the State, an Expert Committee was constituted to evaluate the software tried in the two pilot projects and recommend common specifications for the software.  The Committee has submitted its recommendation to the Government. The Government of India will  be approached for necessary financial assistance in this regard.

PERAMBALUR PILOT PROJECT

            With a view to taking the benefits of Computerisation to the cutting edge level, a pilot project for computerizing the entire land administration system from village level to district level has been mooted in the Perambalur pilot project.  The project will be implemented with the financial support from the Government of India.  The Government of India have already sanctioned the project in principle and have also released a sum of Rs.42.11 lakhs towards project initiation. The project envisages the following components:-

 Undertaking a workflow and system study covering all aspects of land administration from village to the district level.

 Development of software to computerize land administration from village level to the district level. 

 Provision of Computers to the Village Administrative Officers, staff dealing with land matters in the taluk, division and district offices.

 On line linkage of Sub-Registrars’ Office with the taluk office.

 Development of Land Information System based management tools for the use of district and State level decision-makers.

 Development of LIS based data, which can be accessed by the public.

             The National Informatic Centre Officials  have been requested to undertake workflow study in Perambalur district for project initiation.  The National Informatic Centre Officials have undertaken and completed the study and their report is awaited.

 GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM

            A pilot project for undertaking cadastral survey using the state of the art Global Positioning System technology in conjunction with the use of total stations has been approved by the Government of India at a cost of Rs.120.00 lakhs.   The Government of India have sanctioned 50% financial assistance towards the project and released Rs.60.00 lakhs as their share. The 50% State Government share has also been sanctioned by the Government.  The project is to be implemented in Ponneri Taluk  of Thiruvallur District.  Necessary Action Plan has been prepared towards implementation of the project.  The launching of this Pilot Project would pave the way for absorption of Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) technology into the survey operations conducted by the office of Commissioner and Director of Survey and Settlement.  For acquisition of necessary skill and knowledge to operate the technology, relevant agencies like Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University and if necessary, foreign agencies which have professional expertise in this field would be located as soon as possible.

 TRAINING INFRASTRUCTURE:

            A Survey Training Institute is functioning at Orathanadu in Thanjavur district imparting training in survey to the Revenue Subordinates, Probationary Deputy Collectors and I.A.S. Officers and employees of other departments and corporations.  Specialised training in Aerial Photography and Cartography have also been imparted to select persons.  The Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.127.03 lakhs for opening a Modern Hi-tech Training Institute in Chennai to impart training on modern survey techniques and instruments to the survey personnel and to offer course in the field of modern survey technology.   To start with, the Training institute will function within the complex of Anna University, Chennai.  The Hi-Tech institute has been named as C-STAR (Centre for Survey Training  And Research).

CHAPTER -13

PATTA  PASS BOOK  SCHEME (PPBS)

 The Government enacted the Tamil Nadu Patta Pass Book Act, 1983 (Act 4/86), to provide  Patta Pass Books to holders of agricultural land and to give legal status to the Patta Pass Book as evidence of ownership which will enable the financial institution,  Co-operative Banks and Commercial Banks to sanction loan to agriculturist  without insisting on encumbrance certificates.

 A  Patta Pass Book  issued to each Pattadar  contains the details of all the lands owned by him in the taluk.  Each taluk is treated as one unit.  All the details of holdings (Agricultural lands) held by the pattadar in different villages within the particular taluk will be entered in the Patta Pass Book.  Credit agencies which advance loan with or without security of land depending  on the quantum of loan sanctioned will enter the details of loans sanctioned and also the repayments made.  The Patta Pass Book  has to be produced at the time of registration of any deed in the Sub-Registrar’s Office for making entries thereon by the Sub Registrar concerned under advice to the  taluk Tahsildar.  It also enables the plaintiff or applicant in every suit or application  relating to land to annex to the plaint or application certified copy of an entry in the Register of Patta Pass Book or the Patta Pass Book relevant to such land.  In Phase I, the scheme was implemented in 10 districts with effect from 01.04.1993 (Vellore, Thanjavur,  Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Karur, Ariyalur, Coimbatore, Theni, Madurai and Thoothukudi).  21,64,469 Patta Pass Books were distributed.  With effect from 1.3.96 in Vellore district, sections 5,9 and 15  of the Patta Pass Book Act have been brought into force.   Sections 5, 9 and 15 of the Patta Pass Book  Act that were kept in abeyance in the remaining 9 districts have also been brought into force with effect from 15.06.2000.The balance Patta Pass Book in these districts will be issued within a period of six months.

 As a follow up, in Phases II & III, the Patta Pass Book  Act has been brought into force in all the remaining  districts excepting Chennai  where no agricultural lands are  available with effect from 01.09.1999 and  01.07.2000 respectively. Statutory forms prescribed under Patta Pass Book  rules have been printed in the Government Press and have been supplied to the scheme districts.  So far 47,92,631 applications have been issued and against this 17,11,824 applications have been received from pattadars duly filled in. For speedy issue of Patta Pass Books, it has been decided  to conduct special camps in the villages where the revenue and  survey officials will contact the pattadars directly.  The Government have decided to issue computerised Patta Pass Book  and have accorded sanction for a sum of Rs.18.93 Crores for creation of data entries and printing and binding of Patta Pass Book. The work of printing of Patta Pass Book  and computerising the Patta Pass Book  entries have been entrusted to ELCOT. About 95 lakhs Patta Pass Books are expected to be issued in these remaining districts.

CHAPTER -14

RAIN / FLOODS - 2000

The State's actual average rainfall during the year 2000 was 840 mm against the normal average rainfall of 925 mm.  Of this, the actual average rainfall during the North-East  Monsoon period i.e. from October  to December was 338.62mm, against  the normal average rainfall of 470.31 mm with a short fall of 28% from the normal.  However, the Coastal districts of Tamil Nadu are affected every year  due to low pressure/ Cyclonic Storms which cause heavy rain /floods during the North East Monsoon.

           2. The state is well prepared for meeting out the challenges of North East Monsoon  and Cyclonic storms in particular with a well formulated Anti-Disaster Plan which is set in motion,  every year.  There are 53 Cyclonic Warning Centres  and 123 Cyclone shelters in Tamil Nadu.  The Anti-Disaster Plan is monitored by the Principal Commissioner and Commissioner of Revenue Administration, who is the Relief  Commissioner for the State.  In the Districts, Disaster Preparedness is monitored by the District Collectors who operationalise the district contingency plan in the event of Cyclone, floods etc.  These plans were utilised in the recent severe cyclonic storms.

             3. The standard reliefs given to the affected people due to floods/cyclone are 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 the rate of Rs.1000/-per fully damaged hut and Rs.500/-per partly damaged hut is given.  Besides, 1 Saree and 1 Dhoti, 5 Kg of Rice and 1 Litre of Kerosene are also given free of cost to the affected families.

(c) A relief at the rate of Rs.5000/-for loss of adult cow, Buffalo and Bullock per head, Rs.3000/-for loss of calf of Cow and Buffalo per head and Rs.1000/-for loss of Sheep and Goat per head is given subject to a maximum of two cattle a family.

(d) Reliefs given for various crops affected by floods/cyclone are as follows:- 

 e) There is also provision in the existing orders to provide relief from Calamity Relief Fund for the crops damaged due to pest attack.

 f)   In order to provide this relief immediately to the affected people, powers under Treasury Rule 27 have been delegated to the District Collectors.

 4. Due to the pre-monsoon preparedness planning at State Level and the precautionary measures taken at the district level, loss of life and damages to property and crops are minimised.

 5. Two Cyclonic storms hit the Tamil Nadu coast, one near Cuddalore on 29.11.2000 and the other near Thoothukudi on 28.12.2000.  Under the influence of these two storms, there was widespread rain in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Villupuram, Kancheepuram,Thiruvallur,Chennai,Namakkal,Thanjavur,Thoothukudi,Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts. The rain/floods occurred during the North-East Monsoon period in 2000 caused damages to life and property.  There have been 53 human loss and 178 cattle loss.  796 huts were fully damaged and 2038 huts were partly damaged.  As reported by the Collectors, an extent of 5227.20.0 hectares of paddy was submerged and 4100 hectares of Sugarcane and Banana were damaged.  These two storms also damaged many Government buildings, irrigation sources and power lines.

 6.  The Government sanctioned a sum of Rs.8.00 crores from Calamity Relief Fund for carying out immediate flood/cyclone relief works in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Villupuram,Kancheepuram,Thiruvallur,Chennai and Namakkal districts in G.O.Ms.No.621,Revenue Department,dt.14.12.2000 and Rs.9,50,100/-  in G.O.Ms. No.22, Revenue Department, dt.12.1.2001 for granting relief to the farmers whose agricultural and horticultural crops were damaged in Tirunelveli district.

 7. With a  view to maintaining close and frequent contact to tackle contingencies arising out of Law and Order problems and Natural Calamities, the Government have proposed to introduce a two way communication system in the Revenue Offices.  In the first phase, certain important Taluk Offices and Divisional Offices of the 12 Coastal Districts and the office of the Commissioner of Revenue Administration have been selected for installation of two way communication system.  For this, the Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.99.25 lakhs (Non-recurring) and Rs.11.50 lakhs (Recurring) in G.O.Ms.No.200, Revenue Department,  dt.6.6.2001.

 8. The Government of India have constituted a High Powered Committee for the purpose of preparing Disaster Management plans at National, State and District levels to deal with all kinds of disasters including man made disasters.  As directed by the Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture, a State Level Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to the Government and five Sub-Groups as indicated below have been constituted for the preparation of Disaster Management Plans at State and District levels to deal with all kinds of disasters:- 

           All the Sub-Groups are engaged in the preparation of Disaster Management Plans at State and District Levels with which they are concerned.

CHAPTER -15

WELFARE SCHEMES

(i) Tamil Nadu Family Distress Relief Scheme

Under Tamil Nadu Family Distress Relief Scheme, a financial assistance of Rs.10,000/- is sanctioned to the bereaved families of poor households who lost their bread winners and suffer loss of income.  The Government of India are meeting the entire amount of this scheme under their   National Social Assistance Programme.  The annual family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.7,200/- for sanction of financial assistance under this scheme.

 2. The details of financial assistance sanctioned under the scheme from 1990-91 to 2001-2002 are given below:- 

(ii) Accident Relief Scheme

A single integrated Accident Relief Scheme is in operation for providing financial assistance to the families of persons belonging to certain poor occupational categories who meet with an accident in which bodily injury or death is caused.  No annual income limit has been prescribed for applying under the scheme.  This scheme is applicable to 44 poor occupational categories.

 2.The families of accident victims are provided with an assistance of Rs.15,000/- in the event of death.  Out of this amount, Government of India are providing an amount of Rs.10,000/- under their National Social Assistance Programme and the remaining amount of Rs.5000/- is borne by the State Government. 

3. Under this scheme, accident victims are provided with an assistance of Rs.7500/- to Rs15,000/- in the event of physical impairment depending upon the degree of physical impairment.

4. The details of financial assistance sanctioned under the scheme from 1990-91 to 2001-2002 are given below:-

(iii) Fire Accident

When a fire accident occurs, timely help is extended to all victims. A cash grant of Rs.1000/-is granted for a fully damaged hut and Rs.500/- for a partly damaged hut.  5Kg of rice, 1 litre of Kerosene, one dhoti or lungi and one saree are also given to each family affected by the fire accident.

 2. In the case of human death due to fire accident, a cash grant of Rs.15,000/- is granted to the family of the victim.  The cash grant is granted irrespective of the fact whether the deceased  is a bread winner or not.  This cash grant is appli cable  to the cases of death of children also.

 3. In the case of death of cattle due to fire accident, exgratia relief is given as  follows:-

 i)  Rs.5000/- per head of adult cattle (Cow, Buffalow  and Bullock)

ii)   Rs.3000/-per calf of Cow and Buffalow;

iii)  Rs.1000/- per head of Sheep  and Goat.

The relief is granted subject to a maximum of two cattle per family.

4.  Considering the fact that immediate relief is required in cases of the accident, the District Collectors have been authorised to draw and disburse the required amount under Treasury Rule 27 for disbursement of relief amount to the affected families which lost human life and  cattle and suffered damages to huts due to fire accident.

 CHAPTER-16

DETAILED LIST OF NEW SCHEMES  FOR THE YEAR   2001-2002. (PART II SCHEMES)

      O.PANNEERSELVAM,
                                       MINISTER FOR REVENUE