Before Independence of India, the British Rulers were utmostly intended to consolidate and stabilize the system of revenue collection in accordance with the permanent settlement enacted under Regulation 1 of 1773. With the view of maximising revenue collection from Land for colonial interest, the British Rulers Set a department with the name and style as ‘Board of Revenue’ Under this statute, Rules so framed were the couse of tears of the actual tillers of the soil. The exploitation continued with a vengeance till India got Independence in 1947.

In 1989, these two parts of Board of Revenue were merged together with a new name LAND & LAND REFORMS DEPARTMENT, WEST BENGAL.

i) After the enactment of WBLR Act, 1955, huge quantum of ceiling surplus land was vested to the State from the hands of big raiyats by imposing chapter II B of the said Act.

ii) These vested lands are utilised for the poor and land less persons by giving them Patta there by affording them a ‘Rayati Status’ in the Records of Rights.

From the setting up of L & LR Deptt, the department has thought a lot for updating Old procedures to a new one by issuing Circulars / Orders / Notifications and introduction of Computer since the year 2000 for updation of records in the Computer data base was made for easy access of the Citizen of the State.
   The L & LR Deptt. has installed a new version for updating the records in the form of e – bhuchitra which was prior to this only ‘Bhuchitra’. The installation of e – bhuchitra gears up the slowly ness of updating records through Online process connecting the office of the Additional District Sub – Registers.

 1. CITIZEN CENTRIC  ACTIVITIES

·         Mutation ;

·         Conversion ;

·         Long – term settlement of Govt. vested land ;

·         Issue of certified copy of R.O.R. and Plot Information ;

·         Issue of short term quarry permits for extraction of Minor Minerals ;

·         Issue of temporary license for extraction of Minor Minerals ;

·         Collection of Land Revenue & Cesses ;

·         Collection of Royalty & Cesses etc. on Minor Minerals ;

2. DEVELOPMENTAL / WELFARE ACTIVITIES : 

·         Vesting of ceiling surplus land ;

·         Distribution of patta to landless people ;

·         Recording of Bargadars on R.O.R. ;

·         Acquisition of Homestead Land for Agricultural labourer, Artisan & Fisherman ;

·         Sairati Interest ;

·         Disposal of Bhagchas cases  ;

·         Survey of Wakf property ;

3. OTHER ACTIVITIES :

·         Crop Survey ;

·         Agricultural census ;

·         Inter-departmental transfer of land ;

DISTRIBUTION OF PATTA TO LAND LESS PERSONS. 

              Agricultural lands at the disposal of the Government are settled under the provisions of  sub-Section (I), (6A) , and (5) of section 49 of W.B.L.R.Act, 1955 read with sub-rule  (I) to (4) of rule 20A of W.B.L.R.Rules ,1965. Distribution of land for agricultural purpose may be made to a person whose family hold no land or land less than one Acres . The maximum limit of distribution is one Acres taking into account including his own land and half of the land cultivated by him, as bargadar. For the purpose of the homestead, land may be settled to a person who has no homestead land and it does not exceed to 0.08 acres.

             For the purpose of distribution a pre-distribution  survey is made by the Revenue Officer/ Revenue Inspector with members of local panchayet samity and a priority list is prepared. A board constituted as Bon-O-Bhumi Sanskar Sthayee Samity at Block level make a recommendation specifying the the persons to whom the land is to the distributed . The B.L & L.R.Os framed case record on the recomendation of the said body and after approval of the concerned Sub-Divisional Officer pattas are prepared and distributed to the land less persons by organising patta  distribution camp and delivery of possession is being made according. At present join patta for both husband and wife are mandatory.

BHAGCHAS CASES.

 Dispute relating to cultivation by bargadar are dealt by the officer or authority appointed under Section 18(1) of W.B.L.R.Act,1955.

 The nature of disputes are – 

1.     Termination of  cultivation by bargadar on the grounds mentioned in section 17(1) of W.B.L.R.Act,1955.

2.     Dispute regarding to delivery or division of share of produce under Section 16 of W.B.L.R.Act,1955

3.     Recovery of produce under Section 16(A) of the said Act.

4.     Surrender or abandonment  by  bargadar under Section 20 (B).

5.     Determination of heir under Section 15 (A) after the death of bargadar.

                 The empowered Revenue Officer decides the matter with due notices upon both the parties . Here this is to be mentioned that the right of bargadar is heritable    and not transferable . The civil court has no jurisdiction to entertain any suit in respect of any matter mentioned in section 17, 18, 19(B) and 20(B) of W.B.L.R.Act,1955.

SETTLEMENT OF LAND FOR NON AGRI PURPOSE

      The settlement of land for non-agri purpose is provided under Rule 20A(6) of WBLR Rule 1965. As per said rule Collector of the District will settle the land of any classification or description which is at the disposal of the State Government, to any person, organisation, statutory body with prior approval of the L&LR Deptt. . In granting long term lease rent shall be fixed 4% of the market value of the land salami charged @ 40% of the market price.

      The land may be settled to Govt. organisation or Government body or Government department after getting approval from L&LR Deptt. as per terms and condition imposed by the Government.

RECORDING OF BARGADAR 

     The expression “Bargadar” has been classified in section 2 (2) of W.B.L.R.Act,1955. The name of Bargadar have been recorded under Section 21(D)  or section 50 or under Section 51, 51A(1) or under section 51(B) of W.B.L.R.Act,1955.

      On receiving an application notices are issued upon both the land owner and the petitioner Bargadar under Section 57 and 21 (D) of the said act in all case read with section 50, 51, or 51 (B) and the stage may be . The empowered Revenue officer after proper field enquiry and hearing determines the the claim of the petitioner bargadar and feature in the name in R-O-R and issues Barga Certificate.

VESTING OF CEILING SURPLUS LAND  

                The provision imposing ceiling on land holding are embodied in chapter-II & Chapter-IV of the W.B.E.A.Act ,1953 and Chapter-IIB under W.B.L.R.Act,1955.

              In the proceeding  on determination of ceiling are  the interested parsons are given an opportunity of being hard and also given the opportunity of exercising their options regarding retaintion  and vesting of ceiling surplus land. After proper field enquiry and having the land held by the intermediary or raiyat exceeding the ceiling limits as per provision of Acts do vest to the State and possession of the ceiling surplus land are being taken of as per rules of said acts.

MUTATION

       Mutation means substitution of the name of a person by the name of another in the Ors. It is done on the following grounds. 

(a)    Transfer by Sale, Gift or Otherwise.

(b)   Exchange .

(c)    Inheritance. 

         It is done by the prescribed Authority U/s 50 when the records have been finally published or where the records have not been taken up u/s 51 for revision. During revision of records mutation petitions may be disposed of u/s 51B or u/s 50 read with section 50A. 

Enclosures to be attached with the application.

(a)    Registered deed of transfer.

(b)   Succession  certificate in case of inheritance.

(c)    Up to date rent receipt.

(d)   Declaration as in given format. Declaration form)

(e)   Court fee to be attached with application

(i)                  @ Rs.1.00 for agricultural land and @ Rs.10.00 for non-agricultural land per decimal in rural area.

(ii)                @ Rs.1.00 for agricultural land and @ Rs.15.00 for non-agricultural land per decimal in municipal area. 

CONVERSION

It means change in mode of use of land from one classification to another eg. From 'Sali' to 'Homestead' . It is done u/s 4C of the W.B.L.R.Act . 

Procedure:-
(a)    Application should be made in plain paper affixing court fees of Rs.10/- to D.L & L.R.O./ S.D.L & L.R.O./B.L & L.R.O directly depending on area on proper receipt.

(b)   Petition for industries and housing complex should be filed in light blue colour, in quadruplicate on the format in (conversion form)

(c)    Petition should be accompanied by declaration (conversion form), Mutation certificate , site plan, current R-O-R (Khatian) Certificate of Industries issued by D.I.C., Directorate of Industries, C & I. Deptt.  , project report vetted by the competent  authority  and a list containing classification of plots.

(d)   In addition to court fees Rs.10/- as application fee,  court fees as follows should be affixed with the application.

(i)                  @ Rs. 10/- per decimal for homestead purpose in rural areas.

(ii)                @ Rs.  20/- per decimal for homestead purpose in municipal areas.

(iii)               @ Rs.   20/- per decimal for commercial purpose in rural areas.

(iv)              @ Rs.   50/- per decimal for commercial purpose in municipal areas.

Long Term Settlement of Government Vested Land

Non Agricultural Land may be settled by Long Term Lease.

Salient Points :

I.                    It is granted ordinarily for 30 years;

II.                  4% yearly rent and 40% of Salami of the land value of the proposed plot have to be paid;

III.                It is Renewable. No Salami is realised at the time of renewal;

IV.                It is sanctioned by L&LR Department;

V.                There is no provision for the 'Right to Transfer' in the Lease hold area by the Lessee. 

Procedure of Application for Long Term Settlement of Govt. Vested  Land :

I.                    Application for Long Term Settlement of Govt. Vested  Land (5 copies in original)  should be made in PLAIN PAPER stating the Purpose of the Settlement along with Schedule of land;

II.                  8 (eight) copies of Sketch Map (signed by the applicant in original) showing the boundary line of the subject land either in  red or green ink along with measurement  of each arm ;

III.                Declaration regarding "Indian Citizenship"  with supporting documents in triplicate ;

IV.                Declaration regarding payment of Salami & Rent as fixed and amended time to time by the Govt. ;

V.                 Declaration regarding “ Profession” of the Proposed Lessee . 

The District L & LR  Set-up provides congenial atmosphere for Long Term Settlement of Government Vested Land to set up Industries. The Prospective Entrepreneurs shall have the following favours from the District Authority :- 

1.      Single Window System is giving you Extempore Service;

2.      Land is fundamental and we are active to provide land;

3.      We are always ready to extend help & co-operation;

4.      Land is readily available here;

5.      Cases relating to Long Term Settlements , Mutations, Conversions for INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE are processed and disposed on priority;

6.      Excellent RAIL & ROAD Communication.

Super Express Highway runs through this District apart from many other road ways inter-connecting all the major towns and villages of Birbhum. 

Blockwise - Mouzawise Land Bank (List of Plots where Long Term Proposals for Industrial Purpose) is provided here for reference. 

Quarry permits for extraction of Minor Minerals

I.        The Mines and Minerals ( Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 is a Central act. In terms of sec. 15 of this Act, the State Government has been authorised to make rules for regulating the grant of Quarry Permit, Mining Lease in respect of minor-minerals . The W.B. M.M. rules 73 were framed by the State Government in conformity with the powers conferred under sub. sec.(1) of section 15 of Mines and Minerals ( Regulation & Development) Act. 1957. 

A.    Procedure to Grant Quarry Permit.

1.      What is meant by Minor Minerals : Minor Minerals means building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, sand, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purpose or other minerals as may be declared by the Government in Official Gazette. By way of further Notification other minerals like brick earth, morrum, kankar, etc. have been declared as minor mineral. (Section 3(e) of the Mines & Minerals (Regulation & Development)Act.1957.

 An application in form ‘G’ accompanied by the following documents should be filed before the District Authority :-

i). Deposit of Rs. 300/- in the manner provided in sub-rule 3 of Rule.

ii). Mining dues of the applicant, if any, are to be cleared before hand. In case Payment is made before SDL&LRO, clearance certificate from him.

iii)In case of raiyati land, Letter of Consent from the owner of the said land.

iv).The details of the land from which the minor mineral is to be quarried including a plan/map of the area. The area must not exceed 5 acres and it must be in compact and contiguous.

v). Quantity of minor minerals to be extracted.

vi). "Consent to Operate" issued by DL&LRO notified as ex-officio Environment Officer of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB). 

Additional requisites which the District Authority may call for :- 

i).                  Document paying trade tax to G.P.

ii).                Fire license obtained from P.S./Municipality.

iii).                     Up-to-date rent receipt paying land revenue. 

In case of subsequent Q.P. to be obtained afresh, report to be obtained from BL&LRO on the following points :-

i).                  Whether earth is available on the old permitted plots.

ii).                Whether Brick Field owners extracted earth in excess of the permitted quantum and also from outside the permitted areas.

iii).              Whether permissible margin of 10 meter from the contiguous and adjacent plots and 45 meters from major public works are maintained.

RECORDING OF HOMESTEAD LAND 

          The names of occupiers have been recorded under the provisions of West Bengal Acquisition of Homestead land for Agricultural labourers , Artisans and fishermen Act,1975.

          The land occupied by the occupiers on 26th june ,1975 and area  of which does not exceed .0334 Hec., stands acquired by the State Government and transferred to and vested absolutely in favour of the such occupiers on receipt of  application and verification of the R-O-R. the names of those occupiers are being recorded after proper field enquiry and hearing by issuing notices to the land owners and drawing up a proceeding.

RATE OF REVENUE FOR DIFFERENT STATUS OF LAND 

Where any plot of land is situated in the area not within the local limit of any Municipal Corporation or Municipality, other than the area of Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, the following rate of rents to be paid :

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MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS  IN THE DISTRICT

·         Revenue Collection by the year 2014-15 , Rs. 49 Crores 115% coverage of target.

·         Patta distribution under NGNB ( nijo Griho Nijo Bhumi)   Beneficiaries:- 14970 No benefitted  ; Land : 486.18 Acres distributed. 100% coverage of target.

·          OTC ( Over The Counter) Service is provided for all the Blocks.

·         e-Bhuchita is successfully Running for 13 Blocks.

Viz 1) Nalhati-II, 2) Murarai-I, 3) Murarai-II, 4) Mayureswar-I, 5) Mayureswar-II, 6) Md. Bazar, 7) Suri-I, 8) Suri-II 9) Rajnagar, 10) Dubrajpur,

      11) Illambazar, 12) Nanoor & 13) Labpur.

       5 blocks  (  Rampurhat-I, Rampurhat-II, Nalhati-I, Sainthia, Bolpur) under  central server .                              

       1  Block (Khoyrasole) is running with Stand Alone Mode.

      *   Inter Departmental Transfer (IDT) case sanctioned  for 2011-2015:- 28 Nos. ( Total area 119.68 Acres)

      * Settlement of Government Water Bodices from 2013-2015  as per notification:-  13 Nos.( Total area  110.55 acres )

·         64 no. of  Long Term Settlement cases  have  been sent to the L & L.R Department for sanction.

·         Mutation cases disposed of for the year 2014-15 :- 63075 nos.

·         Conversion cases disposed of for the year 2014-15 :- 2178 nos.

Administrative Setup: