**Comprehensive Summary of The Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964: Key Provisions, Procedures, and Case Examples**

 

Detailed Summary of The Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964

The Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 is a comprehensive law governing land revenue administration, land use, ownership rights, and dispute resolution in Karnataka. It outlines the powers of revenue officers, procedures for land assessment, and rules regarding land grants, revenue surveys, and appealshttp://www.dtcp.gov.in/sites/dtcp.gov.in/files/PDF/acts%26Rules/Karnataka_Land_Revenue_Act_1964.pdf


Key Provisions of The Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964

Chapter I – Preliminary

  1. Short Title, Extent, and Commencement

    • The Act applies to the whole of Karnataka.
    • Came into effect on April 1, 1964.
  2. Definitions

    • Land Revenue – Tax levied on landowners.
    • Revenue Officers – Include Deputy Commissioners, Tahsildars, and Village Accountants.
    • Survey Number – A unique identification number for each piece of land.

Chapter II – Constitution and Powers of Revenue Officers

  1. Revenue Hierarchy

    • Chief Controlling Authority: The State Government.
    • District Administration: Led by the Deputy Commissioner.
    • Sub-Divisions: Managed by Assistant Commissioners.
    • Taluks: Governed by Tahsildars.
    • Villages: Managed by Village Accountants.
  2. Powers of the State Government

    • Can alter village and taluk boundaries.
    • Can appoint new revenue officers as needed.

Chapter III – Revenue Procedures

  1. Revenue Officers as Revenue Courts

    • Revenue officers have judicial powers to resolve land disputes.
  2. Summoning and Evidence Collection

    • They can summon individuals, demand evidence, and investigate land disputes.
  3. Eviction of Illegal Occupants

    • Government can remove unauthorized occupants from public land.

Chapter IV – Karnataka Revenue Appellate Tribunal

  1. Formation of the Tribunal

    • A quasi-judicial body to hear appeals against revenue orders.
  2. Finality of Tribunal Decisions

    • The Tribunal's decisions are final, but appeals can be made to the High Court.

Chapter V – Appeals and Revisions

  1. Right to Appeal

    • Any person aggrieved by a revenue officer's decision can file an appeal.
  2. Time Limit for Appeals

    • First appeal: 30 days
    • Second appeal: 60 days

Chapter VI – Revenue Jurisdiction

  1. Exclusive Jurisdiction of Revenue Courts
    • Civil Courts cannot interfere in land revenue matters.

Chapter VII – Land Ownership and Revenue Collection

  1. Government Ownership of Land

    • All land that is not privately owned belongs to the State Government.
  2. Right to Mines and Minerals

    • The government has exclusive rights over mineral resources.
  3. Land Revenue Assessment

    • All land is subject to land revenue tax unless exempted.
  4. Priority of Land Revenue Dues

    • Government land revenue dues have priority over private debts.

Chapter VIII – Land Grants and Occupation

  1. Grant of Unoccupied Land

    • Unused government land can be granted for agricultural or residential use.
  2. Regularization of Unauthorized Occupation

    • Illegal occupants can apply for regularization under certain conditions.

Chapter IX – Revenue Surveys and Land Records

  1. Revenue Surveys

    • The government conducts surveys to map land and assess taxes.
  2. Records of Rights (RTC – Pahani)

    • Each land parcel has a record showing ownership, type of land, and revenue details.
  3. Mandatory Reporting of Land Transfers

    • All sales, inheritance, or lease of land must be reported to the revenue department.

Chapter X – Land Revenue Assessment

  1. Assessment Based on Land Productivity

    • The tax rate is based on the type of crops grown and irrigation facilities.
  2. Exemption from Land Revenue

    • Small farmers and certain lands are exempt from tax.

Chapter XI – Land Disputes and Boundary Settlements

  1. Resolution of Boundary Disputes

    • The Deputy Commissioner resolves disputes regarding land boundaries.
  2. Penalties for Altering Boundary Marks

    • Tampering with survey markers is punishable by law.

Chapter XII – Recovery of Land Revenue

  1. Modes of Land Revenue Collection

    • Land revenue can be paid in cash or kind.
  2. Consequences of Non-Payment

    • Failure to pay land revenue can result in land seizure.
  3. Auction of Land for Unpaid Dues

    • Land can be auctioned to recover pending revenue.

Chapter XIII – Miscellaneous Provisions

  1. Inspection of Land Records

    • Any person can apply for certified copies of land records.
  2. Protection of Revenue Officers

    • Revenue officers cannot be sued for actions taken in good faith.

10 Key Examples of Revenue Cases Under the Act

  1. Land Conversion for Residential Use

    • Example: A farmer wants to convert agricultural land into a housing plot.
  2. Illegal Land Occupation

    • Example: A person occupying government land without permission can be evicted.
  3. Disputes Over Land Ownership

    • Example: A family dispute over inheritance of ancestral land.
  4. Failure to Pay Land Revenue

    • Example: A landowner fails to pay taxes, leading to land attachment.
  5. Unauthorized Mining on Private Land

    • Example: A company extracting minerals without government permission.
  6. Land Acquisition by Government

    • Example: Government acquires land for a highway project.
  7. Appeal Against Land Tax Assessment

    • Example: A landowner challenges excessive tax levied on their land.
  8. Boundary Dispute Between Neighbors

    • Example: Two farmers disagree on their land boundary.
  9. Regularization of Illegal Construction

    • Example: A person built a house on government land and applies for regularization.
  10. Grant of Agricultural Land to Landless Farmers

  • Example: The government grants free land to economically weaker farmers.

Conclusion

The Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 plays a crucial role in land management, revenue collection, dispute resolution, and land distribution. It provides a legal framework for land use and administration while ensuring that land-related conflicts are resolved efficiently.


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