LAND REVENUE & SETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT

1.   NAME OF DEPARTMENT: LAND REVENUE & SETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT

2.   MISSION STATEMENT:

The department Aims to ensure equitable and efficient management of land resources through accurate revenue collection, transparent land settlements and the implementation of policies that promote sustainable development and land ownership rights for all land holders. In addition to this, the department also aims to facilitate and regulate trade by issuing licences efficiently and transparently, ensuring compliance with  legal standards and supporting economic growth through streamlined processes and effective customer service.

3.   ALLOCATION OF BUSSINESS:

i)          Land Revenue

      ii)         Issue of land related documents

iii)        Maintenance of land records

iv)        Preparation of sketch maps

v)         Acquisition/Compensation related issues

vi)        Trade Licence

vii)       Preservation of minor mineral products

4. FUNCTIONING:

i)    Responsibilities:

Land Revenue & Settlement Department is responsible for any land related matter, from allocation of land, collection of revenue, issuance  of land certificates and to settle any dispute related land to its best capacity.Land acquisition made by any entity is done through   this department.

The department is responsible for processing and issuing Trade Licence and implements measures and policies to facilitate efficient and smooth trade operations.

ii)   Processes concerning allotment of land:

Any individual or entity may submit an application for allotment using the prescribed form if the need arises. On receipt of an application, the Executive Member in charge or Revenue Officer shall cause the land to be surveyed,measured and demarcated unless he sees reasons to reject the application. Survey report including sketch map showing the length, breadth and boundary description of the land shall be made and submitted to the Revenue Officer. After this application is found to be free of any encumbrance and if no issue arises, the Executive Member or Revenue Officer  authorized to do so may either grant settlement, lease or limited lease or reject the application or allow it in part as deemed necessary; and registration and issue of certificate shall be done under prescribed rules. However, no land shall be settled with Non Tribal persons  and no land for agricultural purposes exceeding 5 hectares and 600 sqm for house sites shall be allotted without previous permission of the Executive Committee.

iii)  Classification and Assessment of land:

The Executive Committee by notification from time to time classify lands, agricultural or residential, in three grades namely A, B and C in accordance to its suitability of the area for commercial purposes or its having good road and on any other such consideration. Land revenue is assessed in accordance with the value fixed by the Executive Committee for each grade and is shown in the certificate of land settlement or land lease, for which the holder is liable to pay taxes annually. These processes  along with various penalties and consequences on failure to comply with, are sanctioned and enforceable by various Rules, Acts and Amendments gazzetted  by the Government.

iv) Processes concerning issue of Trade Licence:

A person not holding any office of profit under the government or any other local authority, who are residents within the District, or Non Tribals with valid Inner Line Permit may apply for Trade Licence through prescribed forms if the person desired to carry on trade within the District. If an application is not rejected, the Licensing Authority may after obtaining permission from the Executive Committee issue Dealer, Retail or Temporary Licence in accordance to the application which may be renewed yearly or two yearly in accordance to prescribed rules.

iv) Team:

Land Revenue & Settlement Department is taken care of by the Executive Member in-charge  as Office Holder and the Senior Revenue & Settlement Office as head of Department. The Department comprises of General Branch who are mainly concerned with dealing files, Technical Branch who are concerned with survey of land, Finance & Accounts Branch for management  of financial resources, Operators for computers and Xerox machines; and Record Assistants charged with maintenance of records.

5.   ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESS STORIES:

The department aims at successful implementation of policies and initiatives that improve land management, enhance revenue collection and resolve land disputes. The department has improved its revenue collection mechanisms, leading to enhanced financial management and increased revenue generation for the District. Efforts have been  made to  expedite land settlement processes, which include updating records and resolving land disputes more effectively. Investments have been made in developing and strengthening the department’s infrastructure, including upgradation of technology and gadgets used.

An important aspect of the department which is revenue collection is effectively witnessing growth. Following is the revenue collection trend during the last ten years where in submission has exceeded the budget estimate except for the year 2019-2020 because of the widespread Covid -19 Virus which deterred revenue collection.

Land Revenue & Settlement Department have an efficient yet simplified trade licence application process and offers support and guidance for business navigating the trade licence application process. Reduction in the processing time for trade licence has expedited business operations and encouraged more entrepreneurs to start new ventures.

6.   INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS:

Land Revenue & Settlement Department LADC has made significant strides in digitizing land records to enhance transparency and improve overall performance as a whole.

i)    Digital land records:

Steps have been taken in implementing digital solutions to maintain and update land records, making them more accessible and more accurate and  great measures are taken to reduce errors. Nationwide   projects like Survey of Villages and Mapping With Improvised Technology(SVAMITVA)  which aims at creating comprehensive database of rural property ownership and infrastructure; and Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme  (DILRMP) which aims to create a comprehensive, accurate and transparent land records system that benefits citizens, government and the economy are being introduced and taken up which will positively promote the department’s   performances .

ii)   Land survey and mapping: 

Adopting modern technologies by using leveraged advancements in GPS GIS and remote sensing to enhance accuracy and efficiency is an important  projection of the department. It also plans to implement quality control measures to ensure reliable data collection and to organize and store those data effectively. Accurate mapping of boundaries and conducting comprehensive surveys and create accurate land maps to facilitate better land management and dispute resolution and to establish consistent methods and protocols for survey and mapping purposes is another  important projection.

iii)  Revenue collection improvement:

Enhancing systems for collecting land revenue efficiently and transparently by enhancing payment options such as online payments, credit card, bank transfer and cash payments are taken into consideration and steps are taken for this to effectively come into practice. The department is also implementing effective debt collection strategies and is doing its best to perform regular audits to detect and prevent revenue leakage. It also aims to educate the masses on the importance of payment of taxes through mass media.

iv)  Settlement of land issues:

The department aims to address and resolve land disputes and ensure proper settlement of land titles and ownership by simplifying land registration and transfer procedures. Clear and concise laws and regulations governing land ownership and transfer are being enacted and enforced. The department aims to establish accessible, timely and fair mechanisms for resolving land disputes. It also aims to promote mediation, arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution methods for settling disputes. 

v)   Systematic construction:

The department takes steps in developing and implementing policies for sustainable land use and a more systematic and safer construction of houses by identifying construction sites.

vi)  Capacity building:

The department aims to identify areas for improvement and prioritize capacity building efforts. Officials and Staffs, especially technical staffs are deliberated   to frequently undergo   training  to improve their skills and efficiency in land survey, management and record.

7.   ORGANIZATION CHART:

Land Revenue & Settlement Department is taken care of by the Executive Member in-charge as Office Holder along with the following Officers and Staffs:

i)          Senior Revenue & Settlement Officer

ii)         Revenue & Settlement Officer (Headquarters)

iii)        Revenue & Settlement Officer (Survey)

iv)        Asst. Revenue & Settlement Officer (Headquarters)

v)         General Branch , LR&S

vi)        Accounts Branch, LR&S

vii)       Technical Branch, LR&S

List of Officers and staff as on August, 2024

8.   Contact Us @ landrevenuesettlementdepartmen@gmail.com