Tenancy Branch

Land Tenancy Section of District Collector’s Office – Key Responsibilities

The Land Tenancy Section of the District Collector’s Office handles matters related to various types of land, such as Inam lands, Devsthan lands, and tribal lands in the district. This section ensures compliance with the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948, relevant rules, and other land-related laws.

Major Functions of the Tenancy Section:

1. Processing of Agricultural Land Sale/Purchase Proposals (under tenancy law permissions)
   Handles applications for permission under Section 63 of the Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948, especially where the purchaser is a non-agriculturist or the land is intended for non-agricultural use. Also deals with violations under Sections 84C and 84CC of the Act.

2. Permission to Sell Inam Class 6B Mahar Watan Lands
   These lands are classified as Inam Class 6-B (lower village service lands) and re-granted under the Bombay Paragana and Kulkarni Watans Abolition Act, 1958. Their transfer is restricted, and permission from the District Collector is required as per Section 6B and related government resolutions.

3. Ceiling Land – Sales & Breach of Conditions
   Manages cases under the Maharashtra Agricultural Lands (Ceiling on Holdings) Act, 1961. Includes granting sale permission for land received under ceiling limits and monitoring violations under Sections 28 and 29 such as unauthorized transfers.

4. Transfer and Restoration of Tribal Lands
   Oversees the transfer of tribal lands under Section 36 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966. Land sales by tribals to tribals need Collector’s approval, and sales to non-tribals require State Government permission. Implements the 1974 Act for restoration of lands illegally transferred after 1957.

5. Prevention and Consolidation of Fragmented Agricultural Holdings
   Implements the Bombay Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947, to stop subdivision of agricultural lands below standard plot sizes and to consolidate fragmented plots.

6. Matters Related to Devsthan Inam Lands
   These lands are given to temples or religious institutions and classified as Class 3 Inam lands. Transfer, sale, or lease renewal proposals are scrutinized in coordination with the Charity Commissioner and under court directives. Also enforces High Court orders to prevent unauthorized sale.

7. Processing Court Referred Applications
   Handles proposals and applications received from the judiciary.

8. Kotwal Recruitment Management
   Manages Kotwal recruitment under the 1959 rules and later amendments (e.g., 2013 GR). Kotwals assist in revenue duties like issuing notices, helping in recoveries, and maintaining village-level vigilance.

9. Digitization of 7/12 Land Records (NLRMP/DILRMP)
   Oversees the digitization of land records (7/12 extract, mutation register) under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme. Coordinates with Mahabhulekh and online portals for real-time, village-wise updates.

10. Implementation of AgriStack (Farmer Registry)
    Integrates land records and farmer details to create a centralized farmer database. Encourages registration on the State’s farmer portal and verifies landholding data under the Government of India’s Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2026).

11. Digital Crop Survey (e-Peek Pahani)
    Monitors the implementation of the digital crop survey project using mobile apps and satellite tech. Trains Talathis (village revenue officers) to collect seasonal crop data and verify it for accurate agricultural statistics for policy planning.

12. Appeals and Revisions
    Handles appeals and revisions under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966. The Collector hears appeals under Section 247 against subordinate revenue officers’ orders and revises or amends them under Section 257 to ensure judicial oversight at the Tahsildar and Sub-Divisional Officer levels.

Note: Each of the above processes has a dedicated section detailing procedures, required documents, and legal references. Officers must familiarize themselves with these to handle land tenure matters legally and efficiently.