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Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation Of Ceiling On Land) Act,

1961
58 of 1961
CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 :- Preliminary
1. Short title and extent
2. Act not to apply to lands held by existing religious institution or
religious trust of public nature
3. Definitions
3A. Certain special definitions
3B. Certain special definitions
3C. Certain special definitions
3D. Certain special definitions
3E. Certain special definitions
4. Act to override other laws, contracts, etc.
CHAPTER 2 :- Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings
5. Ceiling area
6. Basis of calculation of the extent of land held by the founder of a
[public trust]
7. Ceiling on holding land
8 . Furnishing of return by person holding land in excess of the
standard acres
9. Collection of information
10. Preparation and publication of draft statement as regards land
in excess of the ceiling area
11. Authorised Officer to decide question of title in certain cases
12. Publication of final statement
13. Exclusion of certain land from calculation of ceiling area
14. Amendment of final statement in certain cases
15. Power to rectify bona fide mistakes and clerical errors
16. Possession of land held by possessory mortgage to revert to the
possessory mortgagor in certain cases
17. Possession of land held by tenant to revert to the landowner in
certain cases
18. Acquisition of surplus land
18A. Direction by Land Commissioner
1 8 B . Power of Government to modify notification under section
18(1) consequent on correction under section 15
18C. Power of Government to cancel or modify notification under
section 18(1) in certain cases
18D. Land not to have vested in certain cases
18E. Vesting of land newly included
18F. [Amount payable by] persons in possession of the property
vested in the Government
CHAPTER 3 :- Ceiling on future acquisition and restriction on
certain transfers
1 9 . Declaration to be made before the registering authority in
certain cases
20. Penalty for future acquisition in contravention of section 7
2 0 A . Penalty for future acquisition in contravention of certain
provision
21. Ceiling on future acquisition by inheritance, bequest or by sale
in execution of decree, etc
21A. Certain portions and transfers to be valid
2 2 . [Transfer or partition] made on or after the date of the
commencement of this Act, but before the notified date
CHAPTER 4 :- CONSTITUTION OF THE LAND BOARD
23. Transfer or sub-division made or effected before the publication
of notification under sub-section (1) of section 18
24. Constitution of the Land Board
25. Functions of the Land Board
26. Omitted
27. Omitted
28. Omitted
29. Omitted
3 0 . Application to the Land Board for future acquisition of land
interspersed among or continuous to any plantation
3 1 . Decision of the Land Board in respect of land interspersed
among or contiguous to any plantation
3 2 . M atters to be considered by the Land Board in granting or
refusing permission under section 31
33. Cancellation of permission granted under section 31
34. Decision of the Land Board to be final
35. Meetings of the Land board
36. Power of Land Board to rectify bona fide mistakes and clerical
errors
37. Act of Land Board not to be invalidated by informality
CHAPTER 4A :- PERMISSIONBY GOVERNMENT TO HOLD EXCESS
LAND BY INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS
37A. Industrial or commercial undertaking to apply to Government
for permission to hold excess land
37B. Public trust to apply to Government for permission to hold or
acquire land for educational or hospital purposes
CHAPTER 5 :- CHAPTER V
38. Omitted
39. Omitted
40. Omitted
41. Omitted
42. Omitted
43. Omitted
44. Omitted
45. Omitted
46. Omitted
47. Omitted
48. Omitted
49. Omitted
CHAPTER 6 :- AMOUNT PAYABLE FOR LAND ACQUIRED
50. Determination of [amount] for land acquired by the Government
51. Claims of mortgages or charge holder on surplus land
52. Claims of limited owner on surplus land
53. Claims of maintenance holder on surplus land
54. Amount payable to certain tenants
55. Mode of payment of amount
CHAPTER 7 :- S U R V E Y AND SETTLEMENT OF LAND IN THE
TRANSFERRED TERRITORY
56. Survey of lands in the transferred territory
57. Manner of effecting ryotwari settlement
58. Appointment and functions of Settlement Officer
58A. Ryotwari settlement to be effected under Tamil Nadu Act 30
of 1964 in certain cases
CHAPTER 8 :- Cultivating tenants ceiling area
59. OMITTED
60. Definition of cultivating tenants ceiling area
60A. Certain definitions for the purposes of this Chapter
61. Person holding land as cultivating tenant to furnish return in
certain cases
62. Authorised officer to take possession of land in excess of the
cultivating tenants ceiling area
63. Liability of the Government to pay rent
64. Authorised officer to distribute possession of land
65. Authorised officer empowered to summarily dispossess persons
in certain cases
66. Amount payable to tenants in certain cases
67. Certain claims for arrears of rent not to be enforced against
Government
68. Landowners right to resume under Tamil Nadu Act XXV of 1955
not affected
6 9 . Furnishing of return on acquisition by lease of any land in
excess of cultivating tenants ceiling area
70. Removal of doubts
71. Effect of certain Acts
72. Provisions of this Chapter to override other provisions
CHAPTER 9 :- Exemptions
73. Exemptions
74. xxx xxx xxx
75. xxx xxx xxx
CHAPTER 10 :- Land Tribunals
76. Constitution of Land Tribunals
76A. Transfer of appeals from one Land Tribunal to another
77. Jurisdiction and powers of Land Tribunals
CHAPTER 10A :- Chapter XA
77A. OMITTED
77B. OMITTED
77C. OMITTED
77D. OMITTED
77E. OMITTED
77F. OMITTED
77G. OMITTED
77H. OMITTED
77I. OMITTED
77J. OMITTED
CHAPTER 11 :- APPEALS AND REVISION
78. Appeal to Land Tribunal
79. Appeal to the High Court
80. Limitation Act to apply to appeal under section 78 or 79
81. OMITTED
82. Revision by the Land Commissioner
83. Revision by High Court
84. Power to stay
CHAPTER 12 :- Penalties and Procedure
85. Penalty for failure to furnish return
86. Penalty for failure to furnish information under section 102
87. Penalty for furnishing false return or information
88. Penalty for making false declaration under section 19
88 A . Penalty for furnishing return showing land subject to void
transfer or partitions under section 22 as surplus land
8 9 . Penalty for acquisition by lease or possessory mortgage in
excess of the ceiling area
90. Penalty for contravention of any lawful order
91. Penalty for cutting trees or for removing any machinery, etc.
92. Offences by companies
93. Cognizance of offences
CHAPTER 13 :- Disposal of land acquired by the Government
under this Act
94. Disposal of land acquired by the Government
94A . Rules in respect of surplus land held by sugar factory and
acquired by Government
94B. Certain lands to be held as tenant by the corporation
9 4 C . Exemption in respect of land held by sugar factory for
research purposes
CHAPTER 14 :- Miscellaneous
95. Conversion of one kind of land into another not to affect ceiling
area in certain cases
96. Decrease in number of members of family not to affect ceiling
area
97. Appointment of Land Commissioner
98. OMITTED
99. Transfer of proceedings from one authorized officer to another
100. Returns and reports
1 0 1 . Authorised officer empowered to obtain information from
Court, etc.
1 0 2 . Authorized officer empowered to obtain information from
persons
103. Costs
104. Power to enter upon land
105. Indemnity
106. Preparation of record of rights
107. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Courts
108. Court fees
109. Delegation of powers
110. Power to make rules
111. OMITTED
112. Rules to be placed before the Legislature
SCHEDULE 1 :- Schedule I
SCHEDULE 2 :- Schedule II
SCHEDULE 3 :- Schedule III
SCHEDULE 4 :- Schedule IV
SCHEDULE 5 :- SCHEDULE V
Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation Of Ceiling On Land) Act,
1961
 58 of 1961
PREAMBLE
An Act to provide for the fixation of ceiling on agricultural land
holdings and for certain other matters connected therewith in the
1[State of Tamil Nadu].
W H E R E A S under clauses (b) and (c) of Article 39 of the
Constitution of India, the State should, in particular, direct its
policy towards securing that the ownership and control of the
material resources of the community are so distributed as best to
subserve the common good and that the operation of the economic
system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of
production to the common detriment;
AND WHEREAS the area of agricultural land available forcultivation
in the State is limited;
AND WHEREAS there is greatdisparity in the ownership of
agricultural land leading to the concentration of such land in the
hands of certain persons;
A N D WHEREAS it is necessary to reduce such disparity in the
ownership of agricultural land in the State;
AND Whereas it is necessary to fix a ceiling on the agricultural land
holdings;
AND Whereas it is necessary to acquire the agricultural land in
excess of the ceiling area and to distribute such land to the landless
and other persons among the rural population;
And Whereas such distribution will best subserve the common
good, increase agricultural production and promote justice, social
and economic;
AND Whereas it is expedient to provide for all these and other
matters connected therewith;
Be it enacted in the Twelfth Year of the Republic of India as
follows:--
1. Substituted for the word "State of Madras" by the Tamil Nadu
Adaptation of Laws Order, 1969 as amended by the Tamil Nadu
Adaptation of Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
CHAPTER 1 Preliminary
1. Short title and extent :-

(1) This Act may be called the 1[Tamil Nadu] Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1961.
(2) It extends to the whole of the 2[State of Tamil Nadu].
1. Substituted for the word "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation
of Laws Order, 1969 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of
Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
2. Substituted for the word "State of Madras" by, ibid.

2. Act not to apply to lands held by existing religious

institution or religious trust of public nature :-

1[(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) and of

section 6, nothing contained in this Act shall apply to lands held,--
(i) by an religious institution, or
(ii) by any religious trust of a public nature, which in existence on
the date of the commencement of this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no such
religious institution or religious trust of a public nature as is
referred to in sub-section (1) shall acquire by any means
whatsoever any land after the date of the commencement of this
Act.
( 3 ) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, for the
purposes of this section--
(a) where a public trust in existence on the date of the
commencement of this Act, has been created both for a public
purpose of a religious nature and for any other public purpose; or
(b) where the income from a public trust in existence on the date
of the commencement of this Act is appropriated both for a public
purpose of a religious nature and for any other public purpose,
such public trust shall be deemed to be a religious trust of a public
nature.
1. Substituted for the original section 2 by Tamil Nadu Act 37 of
1972, which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March
1972.
3. Definitions :-

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(1) "agriculture" includes--
(a) horticulture;
(b) the raising of crops, grass or garden produce;
(c) the use by an agriculturist of land held by him, or part thereof,
for grazing;
(d) the use of any land for the purpose of raising manure crops;
(e) dairy farming;
(f) poultry farming;
(g) livestock breeding;
(h) growing of trees;
and "agricultural" shall be construed accordingly;
(2) "agricultural company" means any company formed for the
purpose of carrying on any business that has for its main object the
acquisition of gain by the company from agricultural land and "non-
agricultural company" means any other company;
(3) "agricultural year" means the year commencing on the 1st day
of April, or, in respect of the whole or a part of any district on such
other date as the Collector of the district may specify in that behalf
by notification in the District Gazette;
(4) "ancillary purposes of the plantation" includes replanting;
(5) "authorized officer" means any Gazetted Officer authorized by
the Government by notification to exercise the powers conferred
on, and discharge the duties imposed upon, the authorized officer
under this Act for such area as may be specified in the notification;
(6) "Bhoodan Yagna" and "Gramdan land" shall have the same
meaning as in clauses (a) and (d), respectively, of section 2 of the
1[Tamil Nadu] Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1958 (1[Tamil Nadu] Act XV of
1958);
(7) "ceiling area" means the extent of land which a person is
entitled to hold under section 5;
(8) "company" means a company as defined in section 3 of the
Companies Act, 1956 (Central Act I of 1956);
(9) "creditor" means a secured creditor and includes any decree-
holder who has obtained an attachment of land in execution of a
decree or order;
(10) "cultivating tenant"--
(i) means a person who contributes his own physical labour or that
of any member of his family in the cultivation of any land belonging
to another, under a tenancy agreement, express or implied; and
(ii) includes--
(a) any such person who continues in possession of the land after
the determination of the tenancy agreement, or
(b) the heir of such person, if the heir contributes his own physical
labour or that of any member of his family in the cultivation of such
land, or
(c) a sub-tenant if he contributes his own physical labour or that of
any member of his family in the cultivation of such land, but
(iii) does not include a mere intermediary or his heir;
2(11) "date of the commencement of this Act" means the 15th day
of February 1970;
2(12) "date of the publication of this Act" means the date of
publication of the 1[Tamil Nadu] Land Reforms (Reduction of
Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970, in the 3Fort St. George Gazette;
4(13) [...]
(14) "family" in relation to a person means the person, the wife or
husband, as the case may be, as such person and his or her--
(i) minor sons and unmarried daughters, and
(ii) minor grand sons and unmarried grand-daughters in the male
line, whose father and mother are dead.
Explanation 5[I].--For the purpose of this clause, in the case of
persons governed by Hindu law, "minor sons" and "minor
grandsons" shall not include sons or grand-sons--
(i) between whom and the other members of the family a partition
by means of a registered instrument has taken place; or
(ii) in respect of whose family properties a preliminary decree for
partition has been passed; before the 6[notified date].
7Explanation II.--For the purpose of this clause--
(a) in the case of persons governed by Hindu law, "unmarried
daughters" and "unmarried grand-daughters" shall not include
"unmarried daughters" or "unmarried grand-daughters"--
(i) in whose favour any land has been voluntarily transferred by
either of whose parents or grand parents on account of natural love
and affection; or
(ii) in whose favour a preliminary decree for partition has been
passed before the notified date;
(b) in the case of persons governed by any law other than Hindu
law, "minor sons", "unmarried daughters", "minor grandson", and
"unmarried grand-daughters" shall not include "minor sons",
"unmarried daughters" "minor grand-sons" and "unmarried grand-
daughters"--
(i) in whose favour any land has been voluntarily transferred by
either of whose parents or grand parents on account of natural love
and affection; or
(ii) in whose favour a preliminary decree for partition has been
passed; before the notified date;
(15) "forest land" includes any waste land containing trees or
shrubs;
( 1 6 ) "full owner" means a person entitled to the absolute
proprietorship of land;
(17) "Government" means the State Government;
(18) [Omitted by section 3(1)(a) of this Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Second Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 29 of 1972), which was deemed to have come into force
on the 1st day of March 1972.]
(19) "to hold land", with its grammatical variations and cognate
expressions, means to own land as owner or to possess or enjoy
land as possessory mortgage or as tenant or as intermediary or in
one or more of those capacities;
(20) "inam land", in any area in the State except the transferred
territory,--
(a) means any land the grant of which in inam has been made,
confirmed or recognized by the Government; and
(b) includes--
(i) any land in any lease-hold village;
(ii) any land which is exempt either in whole or in part, from
payment of land revenue;
(iii) any land of which the land revenue alone or portion thereof has
been granted in inam to any person, provided that such grant has
been made, confirmed or recognized by the Government; and
(iv) any inam constituting an estate under the 1[Tamil Nadu]
Estate Land Act, 1908 (1[Tamil Nadu] Act I of 1908); but does not
include any inam land on which full assessment of revenue has
been levied under the 1[Tamil Nadu] Inams (Assessment) Act,
1956 (1[Tamil Nadu] Act XL of 1956);
(21) "intermediary" means any person who, not being an owner or
a possessory mortgage, has an interest in land, and is entitled, by
reason of such interest, to possession thereof, but has transferred
such possession to others;
(22) "land" means agricultural land, that is to say, land which is
used or capable of being used for agricultural purposes of purposes
subservient thereto and includes forest land, pasture land,
plantation and tope, but does not include house-site or land used
exclusively for non-agricultural purposes;
(23) "Land Board" means the 8[Tamil Nadu Land Board] constituted
under section 24;
(24) "Land Commissioner" means the Land Commissioner appointed
under section 97;
(25) "land owner" means the owner of the land let for cultivation
by a tenant and includes the heirs, assignees, legal representatives
of such owner or persons deriving rights through him;
(26) "Land Tribunal" means a Land Tribunal constituted under
section 76;
(27) "lease-hold village" means any village specified in column (4)
o f Schedule II and such other village or part thereof as the
Government may by notification from time to time, specify;
(28) "limited owner" means any person entitled to a life estate in
any land and includes persons deriving rights through him.
9Explanation.--A person who has a right to enjoy the land during
his lifetime shall be deemed to be a limited owner notwithstanding
that he has no power to alienate the land;
(29) "member of the Armed Forces" means a person in the service
of the Air Force, Army, Border Security Force or Navy of the Union
of India and included a seaman:
Provided that if a question arises whether any person is a member
of the Armed Forces, such question shall be decided by the
Government and their decision shall be final;
(30) [Omitted by section 3(1) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1972].
10(31) "notified date" means the date specified by the Government
in a notification, which shall be a date after the date of the
publication of this Act;
(32) "orchard" means an enclosure or assemblage of fruit or nut-
bearing trees, constituting the main crop therein, whether of
spontaneous or artificial growth, but does not include trees on such
bunds as are not within or adjunct to such enclosure or
assemblage.
11Explanation.--The expression "fruit or nut bearing trees" shall not
include plantain tree;
(33) "owner"--
(a) means--
(i) any person holding land in severally or jointly or in common
under a ryotwari settlement or in any way subject to the payment
of revenue direct to the Government, or
(ii) a landholder as defined in the 1[Tamil Nadu] Estates Land Act,
1908 (11[Tamil Nadu] Act I of 1908), or a ryot as defined in that
Act, or
(iii) an inamdar not being landholder defined as aforesaid, and
(b) includes--
(i) full owner or limited owner, or
(ii) the lessee of any lease-hold village or his heirs, assignees, legal
representatives or person deriving rights through him;
(34) "person" includes any 12[...] company, family firm, society or
association of individuals, whether incorporated or not 13[or any
private trust or public trust].
(35) "plantation" means any land used for growing all or any of the
following, namely cardamom, cinchona, coffee, rubber or tea;
(36) "Possessory mortgagee" means a mortgagee entitled to the
possession of the whole or part of the mortgaged property and to
receive the rents and profits accruing from such property or any
part of such rents and profits and to appropriate the same in lieu of
interest or in payment of the mortgage money or partly in lieu of
interest or partly in payment of the mortgage money 14[and
"possessory mortgage" and "possessory mortgagor" shall be
construed accordingly].
15(36-A) "private trust" includes a trust under which the
beneficiaries are persons, who are ascertained or capable of being
ascertained.
Explanation.--Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, for
the purpose of this clause, where the income from a public trust is
substantially appropriated for the benefit of the founder of the trust
or his heirs or of the family of the founder or of his heirs, such trust
shall be deemed to be a private trust notwithstanding the terms of
the trust;
16[17( 3 6 - A A ) ] "Proclamation of Emergency" means the
proclamation issued under clause (1) of Article 352 of the
Constitution on the 26th October 1962;]
18(36-AAA) "public trust" means a trust for a public purpose of a
religious, charitable or of an educational nature;
(36-B) "religious institution" means any--
(i) temple;
(ii) math;
(iii) mosque; or
(iv) church,
which is dedicated to, or for the benefit of, or used as right by, the
public as a place of religious worship;
(37) "Schedule" means a Schedule appended to this Act;
(38) "seaman" means every person including a master, pilot or
apprentice employed or engaged as a member of the crew of a ship
or a sailing vessel to which the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
(Central Act 44 of 1958) applies;
(39) "Settlement Officer" means an officer appointed under sub-
section (1) of section 58;
(39-A) 19[Omitted]
(40) "standard acre" means--
(1) in any area in the State except the transferred territory--
(a) 0.8 acre of wet land assessed to land revenue at any rate above
Rs. 15 per acre, or
(b) 1 acre of wet land assessed to land revenue at the rate of Rs.
10 and above but not exceeding Rs. 15 per acre; or
20(bb) 1.6 acres of wet land irrigated by any Government source
other than a source mentioned in item (a); or
(c) 1.2 acres of wet land assessed to land revenue at the rate of
Rs. 8 and above but below Rs. 10 per acre; or
(d) 1.6 acres of wet land assessed to land revenue at the rate of
Rs. 6 and above but below Rs. 8 per acre; or
(e) 1.75 acres of wet land assessed to land revenue at the rate of
Rs. 4 and above but below Rs. 6 per acre; or
(f) 2 acres of wet land assessed to land revenue at rate the below
Rs. 4 per acre; or
(g) 2.5 acres of dry land assessed to land revenue at the rate of Rs.
2 and above per acre; or
(h) 3 acres of dry land assessed to land revenue at the rate of Rs.
1.25 and above but below Rs. 2 per acre; or
(i) 4 acres of dry land assessed to land revenue at any rate below
Rs. 1.25 per acre.
(2) in the Kanyakumari district--
(a) 1 acre of registered wet land irrigated by any source forming
part of or benefited by, any project; or
(b) 1.2 acres of registered dry land irrigated by any source
mentioned in item (a); or
21(bb) 1.6 acres of dry land irrigated by any Government source
other than a source mentioned in item (a); or
(c) 1.6 acres of dry land irrigated by any Government source other
than a source mentioned in item (a); or
(d) 4 acres of dry land unirrigated by any source mentioned in item
(a) or by any other Government source of irrigation.
(3) in the Shencottah taluk of the Tirunelveli district--
(a) 1.2 acres of wet land irrigated by any river or stream or by tank
fed by any river or stream;
(b) 1.6 acres of wet land irrigated by any Government source other
than a source mentioned in item (a); or
(c) 2 acres of dry land irrigated by any Government source; or
(d) 4 acres of dry land unirrigated by any source mentioned in item
(a) or by any other Government source of irrigation;
22Explanation I.--For the purpose of sub-clause (1) of clause (40),
"land revenue" shall mean--
(i) in the case of any land in respect of which a ryotwari settlement
is in force on the date of the commencement of this Act, the
ryotwari assessment payable on that date;
(ii) in the case of any inam land, on which full assessment of
revenue has been levied under the 1[Tamil Nadu] Inams
(Assessment) Act, 1956 (1[Tamil Nadu] Act XL of 1956), such
assessment;
(iii) in the case of any land other than an inam land referred to in
clause (ii) in respect of which a ryotwari settlement is not in force
on the date of the commencement of this Act, but is brought into
force after that date but before the date of publication of the draft
statement under sub-section (5) of section 10, the ryotwari
assessment payable under such settlement after it is brought into
force;
(iv) in the case of any land in respect of which a ryotwari
settlement effected in pursuance of section 22 of the 1[Tamil Nadu]
Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948 (1[Tamil
Nadu] Act XXVI of 1948) has not been brought into force before
the date of publication of the draft statement under sub-section (5)
o f section 10, or in the case of any inam land, the land revenue
notified by the Government in this behalf with due regard to the
highest rate of ryotwari assessment payable for any land of a
similar description and with similar advantages in the nearest
ryotwari village:
Provided that no notification shall be issued under this clause,
unless the persons likely to be affected by such notification are
given a reasonable opportunity to make representation and adduce
evidence in respect of the rates proposed to be specified in the
notification:
Provided further that the land revenue notified by the Government
under this clause shall not be modified notwithstanding that a
different rate of assessment is fixed under--
(i) any settlement that may be brought into force; or
(ii) the 1[Tamil Nadu] Inam (Assessment) Act, 1956 (1[Tamil
Nadu] Act XL of 1956);
Explanation II.--In sub-clauses (2) and (3) of clause (40) "wet
land" and "dry land" shall include inam wet land and inam dry land
respectively.
Explanation III.--For the purpose of sub-clause (2) of clause (40),
"project" means any of the following irrigation systems, namely:--
(i) Kodayar project system proper;
(ii) (a) Pazhayar System;
(b) Valliar system;
(c) Thirparappu Right Bank Channel and Left Bank Channel system;
(d) Champakulam system;
(iii) Alathuraiyar system.
Explanation IV.--In any area in the State except the transferred
territory, one acre of dry land--
(a) irrigated by direct flow of water from any Government source of
irrigation supplying water--
(i) for two crops and above, shall be deemed to be equivalent to
one acre of wet land assessed to land revenue at the rate of Rs. 8
and above but below Rs. 10 per acre.
(ii) for only one crop, shall be deemed to be equivalent to one acre
of wet land assessed to land revenue at the rate of Rs. 4 and above
but below Rs. 6 per acre.
(b) irrigated by lifting water from any Government source of
irrigation shall be deemed to be equivalent to one acre of wet land
assessed to land revenue at the rate of Rs. 4 and above but below
Rs. 6 per acre:
Provided that the Government may, in respect of any particular
area, by notification, direct that one acre of dry land irrigated from
any Government source of irrigation shall be deemed to be
equivalent to any specified extent of any of the categories of land
specified in sub-clause (1) of clause (40) on the ground of quality
of the soil or on any other ground:
Provided further that such notification shall not come into force
unless it is approved by the Legislature.
Explanation V.--Where the land held by a person consists of more
than one of the kinds of the land specified in clause (40), the
extent of the land held by him shall, for the purpose of this Act, be
reduced to standard acres calculated according to the proportions
specified in clause (40);
(41) "State" means the 23[State of Tamil Nadu]:
(42) "stridhana land" means any land held on the date of the
commencement of this Act by any female member of a family on
her own name;
24(43) [...]
24(44) [...]
(45) "surplus land" means the land held by a person in excess of
the ceiling area and declared to be surplus land under sections 12,
13 or 14;
(46) "tenant" means any person who has paid or has agreed to pay
rent or other consideration for his being allowed by another to
enjoy the land of the latter under a tenancy agreement, express or
implied, and includes--
(i) any such person who continues in possession of the land after
the determination of the tenancy agreement;
(ii) the heirs, assignees, legal representatives of such person, or
persons deriving rights through such person;
(iii) a cultivating tenant;
(47) "tope" means any land containing groups of fruit or nut-
bearing trees including palmyra trees, constituting the main crop in
such land, whether of spontaneous or artificial growth and includes
orchards, but does not include trees on such bunds as are not
within or adjunct to such groups of trees.
25Explanation.--The expression "fruit or nut-bearing trees" shall
not include plantain tree;
(48) "transferred territory" means the Kanyakumari district and the
Shencottah taluk of the Tirunelveli district;
26(49) "trust" means a private trust or a public trust;

1. Substituted for the word "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation

of Laws Order, 1969 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of
Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
2. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970, which was deemed to
have come into force on the 15th February 1970.
3. Now the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
4. Omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
5. The Explanation to clause (14) was numbered as Explanation I
of that clause by section 2(1)(c)(i) of Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970,
which was deemed to have come into force on the 15th February
1970.
6. Substituted for the words "date of the commencement of this
Act" by section 2(1)(c)(i) of Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970, which was
deemed to have come into force on the 15th February 1970.
7. This Explanation has been inserted by section 2(1)(c)(ii) of Tamil
Nadu Act 17 of 1970, which was deemed to have come into force
on the 15th February 1970.
8. Substituted for the expression "Madras Land Board" by
paragraph 3(1)(b) of, and the Scheduled to, the Tamil Nadu
Adaptation of Laws order, 1970 which was deemed to have come
into force on the 14th January 1969.
9. Inserted by section 5 Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972, which was
deemed to have come into force on the 6th April 1960.
10. Substituted for the original clause (31) by section 2(1)(d) of
the Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970.
11. Inserted by section 3(1) of the Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1974,
which was deemed to have come into force on the 6th April 1960.
12. The word "trust" was omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972,
which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
13. Inserted by section 3(2)(a), ibid.
14. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1965, which was deemed to
come into force on the 2nd May 1962.
15. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972.
16. This clause was inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 9 of 1965.
17. Clause (36-A) was renumbered by Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972
which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
18. This clause was inserted by section 3(2)(c), ibid.
19. This clause was omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2003.
20. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 3 of 1984.
21. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1971.
22. The additional assessment, additional water-cess or surcharge
payable under the Tamil Nadu Additional Assessment and
Additional Water-cess Act, 1963 (Tamil Nadu Act 8 of 1963) or the
Tamil Nadu Land Revenue and Water-cess (Surcharge) Act, 1965
(Tamil Nadu Act 34 of 1965, as the case may be, shall not deemed
to be land revenue for the purpose of calculating standard acre
under the Tamil Nadu Act 58 of 1961. Please see section 17(ii) of
the Tamil Nadu Act 8 of 1963 and section 15(vi) of the Tamil Nadu
Act 34 of 1965.
23. Substituted for the word "State of Madras" by the Tamil Nadu
Adaptation of Laws Order, 1969 as amended by the Tamil Nadu
Adaptation of Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
24. Omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
25. This Explanation was added by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1974,
which was deemed to have come into force on the 6th April 1960.
26. Substituted by section 3(2)(d) of Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972,
which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
3A. Certain special definitions :-

1[Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if, by virtue of

the operation of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling
on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971), the
total extent of land held by any person exceeds the ceiling area,
then, in relation to such person and in this Act unless the context
otherwise requires,--
(i) "date of the commencement of this Act" means the date
specified by the Government under sub-section (2) of section 1 of
the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land)
Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971);
(ii) "notified date" means the date specified by the Government in
a notification which shall be a date subsequent to the date specified
under sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971).
1. Inserted by section 3(2) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.

3B. Certain special definitions :-

1[Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if, by virtue of

the operation of the [Tamil Nadu] Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling
on Land) Second Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of
1972), the total extent of land held by any person exceeds the
ceiling area, then, in relation to such person and in this Act, unless
the context otherwise requires,--
(i) "date of the commencement of this Act" means the 1st day of
March 1972;
(ii) "notified date" means the date specified by the Government in
a, notification, which shall be a date subsequent to the date of the
publication of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Second Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972),
in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
1. Inserted by section 3(2) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.

3C. Certain special definitions :-

1[Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if, by virtue of

the operation of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling
on Land) Third Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972),
the total extent of land held by any person exceeds the ceiling
area, then, in relation to such person and in this Act, unless the
context otherwise requires,--
(i) "date of the commencement of this Act" means the 1st day of
March 1972;
(ii) "notified date" means the date specified by the Government in
a notification which shall be a date subsequent to the date of
publication of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Third Amendment Act, 1972, in the Tamil Nadu Government
Gazette.
1. Inserted by section 3(2) of Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972.

3D. Certain special definitions :-

1[Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if, by virtue of

the operation of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling
on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972, the total extent of land
held by any person exceeds the ceiling area, then, in relation to
such person and in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
-
(i) "date of the commencement of this Act" means the 1st day of
March 1972;
(ii) "notified date" means the date specified by the Government in
a notification, which shall be a date subsequent to the date of the
publication of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972, in the Tamil Nadu
Government Gazette.
1. Inserted by section 3(2) of Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972.

3E. Certain special definitions :-

1[Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if by virtue of the

operation of section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of
Ceiling on Land) Fifth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 10 of
1974), the total extent of land held by any person exceeds the
ceiling area, then, in relation to such person and in this Act, unless
the context otherwise requires,--
(i) "date of the commencement of this Act" means--
(a) for the period before the 15th day of February 1970, the 6th
day of April 1960;
(b) for the period commencing on the 15th day of February 1970,
the 15th day of February 1970;
(ii) "notified date" means the date specified by the Government in
a notification, which shall be a date subsequent to the date of the
publication of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Fifth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1974), in
the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
1. Inserted by section 3(2) of Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972.

4. Act to override other laws, contracts, etc. :-

T h e provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding

anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the
time being in force, or any custom, usage or contract or decree or
order of a Court or other authority.
CHAPTER 2 Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings
5. Ceiling area :-

(1) 1(a) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (3-A), (3-B) and

(3-C) and of Chapter VIII, the ceiling area in the case of every
person (other than the institutions referred to in clauses (c) and (d)
and subject to the provisions of sub-sections (3-A), (3-B), (3-C),
(4) and (5) and of Chapter VIII, the ceiling area in the case of
every family consisting of not more than five members shall be 15
standard acres.
(b) The ceiling area in the case of every family consisting of more
than five members shall 2[subject to the provisions of sub-sections
(3-A), (3-B), (3-C), (4) and (5)] and of Chapter VIII, be 3[15
standard acres] together with an additional 5 standard acres for
every member of the family in excess of five.
4(c) (i) The ceiling area in the case of the institutions mentioned in
column (1) of the Table below and in existence on the date of the
commencement of this Act, shall be the extent specified in the
corresponding entry in column (2) thereof;
Provided that such extent was held by such institutions on the date
of the commencement of this Act.
Table

(1) (2)
 (1) (2)

(1) Any College affiliated to or recognised by any 40 (Forty) standard

University under any law or rule relating to education. acres.
(2) Any High School or equivalent school recognised 20 (Twenty) standard
by the Government or University under any law or acres.
rule relating to education.
(3) Any Elementary School or Higher Elementary 10 (Ten) standard acres.
School or other equivalent institution recognised by
the Government under any law or rule relating to
education.
(4) Any Students Hostel. 25 (Twenty-five)
standard acres.
(5) Any Polytechnic Institution. 25 (Twenty-five)
standard acres.
(6) Any Agricultural School. 25 (Twenty-five)
Standard acres.
(7) Any Orphanage. 25 (Twenty-five)
standard acres.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause (i), no such institution as is

referred to in that sub-clause; and--
(a) holding land, on the date of the commencement of this Act, less than the extent
specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) of the Table under sub-clause (i),
shall acquire by any means whatsoever, after that date, any land in excess of the
extent so held, and
(b) holding no land at all on the date of the commencement of this Act, shall
acquire by any means whatsoever, after that date, any land.
Explanation.--In calculating the extent of land held on the date of commencement
of this Act, by any of the institutions mentioned above, the extent of land held by
such institution and the extent of land apportioned under sub-section (3-B) shall be
taken into account.
(d) (i) The Ceiling area in the case of a public trust of a charitable nature in
existence on the date of the commencement of this Act (other than such trusts
under which the institutions referred to in clause (c)(i) are the beneficiaries) shall
be 5 (five) standard acres:
Provided that such extent of land is held by such trust on the date of the
commencement of this Act.
(ii) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-clause (i), no such public trust of a
charitable nature as is referred to in sub-clause (i) and--
( A ) holding land on the date of the commencement of this Act less than five
standard acres shall acquire by any means whatsoever, after that date, any land in
excess of the extent so held; and
(B) holding no land at all on the date of the commencement of this Act shall acquire
by any means whatsoever, after that date, any land.
(2) For the purposes of this section, all the lands held individually by the members
of a family or jointly by some or all of the members of such family shall be deemed
to be held by the family.
(3) (a) In calculating the extent of land held by a member of a family or by an
individual person, the share of the member of the family or of the individual person
in the land held by an undivided Hindu family, a Marumakkattayam tar-ward, an
Aliyasanthana family or a Nambudiri Illom shall be taken into account.
(b) In calculating the extent of land held by a family or by an individual person, the
share of the family or of the individual person in the land held by a firm, society or
association of individuals (whether incorporated or not) or by a company (other
than a non-agricultural company) shall be taken into account.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section--
(a) the share of a member of a family or of an individual person in the land held by
an undivided Hindu family, a Marumakkattayam tarward, an Aliyasanthana family
or a Nambudiri Illom, and
(b) the share of a family or of an individual person in the land held by a firm,
society or association of individual (whether incorporated or not), or by a company
(other than a non-agricultural company),
shall be deemed to be the extent of land--
(i) which, in case such share is held on the date of the commencement of this Act,
would have been allotted to such member, person or family had such land been
partitioned or divided, as the case may be, on such date; or
(ii) which, in case such share is acquired in any manner whatsoever after the date
of the commencement of this Act, would be allotted to such member, person or
family if a partition or division were to take place on the date of the preparation of
the draft statement under sub-section (1) of section 10.
5 (3-A) (i) For the purposes of this Act, the land owned by a private trust shall be
deemed to be land owned by the beneficiaries under the private trust and each
such beneficiary shall be deemed to be the owner of the land to the extent of the
share of his beneficial interest in the said trust;
(ii) In calculating the extent of land held by such beneficiary for the purpose of this
Act, such extent of the share of the land as is mentioned in clause (i) shall be taken
into account.
Explanation.--For the purpose of this sub-section, the trustee of a private trust
shall be deemed to be a beneficiary under such private trust, if any income or part
thereof from such private trust is enjoyed by him or his heirs, or by his family or
the family of his heirs;
(iii) (a) The land held by the public trust referred to in the Explanation to clause
(36-A) of section 3 shall be deemed to be held by the founder of the trust or his
heirs or the family of the founder or of his heirs.
(b) In calculating the extent of land held by such founder or his heirs or such
family, the extent of the land held by the public trust shall be taken into account.
(iv) (a) Where any of the institutions mentioned in clause (c) of sub-section (1), is
a beneficiary under a public trust, the land owned by such public trust shall be
deemed to be land owned by such institution and each such institution shall be
deemed to be the owner of the land for the purpose of this Act to the extent of the
share of the beneficial interest in such public trust.
(b) In calculating the extent of land held by such institution, such extent of the
share of the land as is mentioned in sub-clause (a) shall be taken into account.
(3-B) (a) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where the income from a
public trust in existence on the date of the commencement of this Act, is
appropriated for the establishment or maintenance of one or more institutions
referred to in column (1) of the Table under sub-clause (i) of clause (c) of sub-
section (1), the ceiling area in the case of such public trust shall be the extent of
standard acres, which is equal to the total extent of land calculated in the manner
specified below for all categories of institutions:--
Number of institutions in each category mentioned in column (1) of the Table x
number specified in the corresponding entry in column (2) thereof:
Provided that such extent of land was held by such trust on the date of the
commencement of this Act.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (a), no such public trust as is
referred to in that clause and--
(i) holding land on the date of the commencement of this Act less than the extent
allowed under clause (a) shall acquire by any means whatsoever after that date,
any land in excess of the extent so held; and
(ii) holding no land at all on the date of the commencement of this Act, shall
acquire by any means whatsoever after the date, any land.
(3-C) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, 6[ b u t subject to the
provisions of section 37-B and section 73], no land shall be held by any public trust
which is created after the date of the commencement of this Act.
(4) (a) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (5), where the stridhana land held
by any female member of a family together with the other land held by all the
members of that family, is in excess of 7[15 standard acres], the female member
concerned may hold, in addition to the extent of land which the family is entitled to
hold under sub-section (1), stridhana land not exceeding 10 standard acres:
Provided that where any extent of stridhana land held by a female member is
included in the extent of land which the family is entitled to hold under sub-section
(1) and in case where the extent so included is--
(i) 10 or more than 10 standard acres, she shall not be entitled to hold any
stridhana land in addition to the extent so included; or
(ii) less than 10 standard acres, she may hold, in addition to the extent so
included, an extent of stridhana land, which together with the extent so included,
shall not exceed 10 standard acres.
(b) Where the extent of stridhana land held under clause (a) by any female
member of a family consisting of more than five members--
(i) is 5 or more than 5 standard acres, she shall not be deemed to be a member of
that family for the purposes of clause (b) of sub-section (1); or
(ii) is less than 5 standard acres, the additional extent of 5 standard acres allowed
under clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall be reduced by the same extent as the
extent of stridhana land so held.
ILLUSTRATIONS
(a) An undivided Hindu family consists of husband A, his wife and his three sons B,
C and D and the wife of B and grandsons E and F. B is a major and C and D are
minors. E and F are the minor sons of B. The extent of land held by the undivided
Hindu family is 8[40 standard acres], that is to say, As share and the share of his
sons in the land held by the undivided Hindu family is 8[10 standard acres] each.
As wife has 8[15 standard acres] of stridhana land and Bs wife has 8[10 standard
acres] of stridhana land.
For the purpose of ceiling As family and Bs family will each constitute a separate
section 3(14).
As family consists of himself, his wife and his minor sons C and D. If the share of A
in the land held by the undivided Hindu family, namely, 9[10 standard acres] is
included within the 9[15 standard acres] allowed under sub-section (1) of section 5,
the wifes stridhana land to the extent of 9[5 standard acres] may be included to
make up 12[15 standard acres] [section 5(4)]. 10[The wife can hold, in addition, 5
standard acres as stridhana land. All the members of As family will, therefore, be
together entitled to hold 20 standard acres and the remaining 25 standard acres
will be treated as surplus land].
Bs family consists of himself, his wife and his minor sons E and F. If the stridhana
land of Bs wife, namely, 11[ 1 0 standard acres] is included within the 11[15
standard acres] allowed under sub-section (1) of section 5, the share of B and his
sons in the land held by the undivided Hindu family to the extent of 11[5 standard
acres] may be included to make up 11[15 standard acres] section 5(4). All the
members of Bs family will, therefore, be together entitled to hold 11[15 standard
acres] and the remaining 11[5 standard acres] will be treated as surplus land.
(b) A family consists of husband and his wife. The husband is a member of an
undivided Hindu family and his share in the land held by the undivided Hindu family
is 12[10 standard acres]. The wife has stridhana land of 12[10 standard acres]. If
the entire stridhana land of 12[10 standard acres] held by the wife is included
within the 12[15 standard acres] allowed under sub-section (1) of section 5, then,
an extent to 12[5 standard acres] of the share of the husband in the undivided
Hindu family may be included to make up 12[15 standard acres]. 12[5 standard
acres] will be treated as surplus land and the wife is not entitled to hold any
additional extent of stridhana land section 5(4).
But, if the 13[10 standard acres] which is the share of the husband in the undivided
Hindu Family is included within t he 13[15 standard acres] allowed under sub-
section (1) of section 5, then, an extent of 13[5 standard acres] of stridhana land of
the wife could also be included to make up 13[15 standard acres]. The wife may
retain additional 13[5 standard acres] of stridhana land section 5(4). 14[There will
be no surplus land.]
1. Substituted for the expression, "All the members of As family will therefore be
together entitled to hold 30 standard acres and the remaining 60 acres will be
treated as surplus land" by section 2(2)(c)(ii)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970,
w.e.f. 15th February 1970.
2. Substituted for the figure and were "20 standard acres", "30 standard acres",
"20 standard acres", "30 standard acres", "30 standard acres" and "20 standard
acres" by section 2(2)(c)(iii), ibid.
3. Substituted for the figure and were "25 standard acres", "20 standard acres",
"20 standard acres", "30 standard acres", "10 standard acres" and "30 standard
acres" respectively by sections 2(2)(d)(i), ibid.
4. Substituted for the figure and were "25 standard acres", "30 standard acres", "5
standard acres", "30 standard acres", "5 standard acres" and "30 standard acres"
respectively by sections 2(2)(d)(ii)(a), ibid.
5. Substituted for the figure and were "25 standard acres", "30 standard acres", "5
standard acres", "30 standard acres", "5 standard acres" and "30 standard acres"
respectively by sections 2(2)(d)(ii)(a), ibid..
6. Substituted for the expression "Ten standard acres will be treated as surplus
land" by section 2(2)(d)(ii)(b), ibid.
(c) A Muslim family consists of the husband, his wife and his two minor sons. The
wife has 15[15 standard acres] of stridhana land and the minor sons have no
property. The husband has 15[25 standard acres]. If the entire extent of land
which the family is entitled to hold under sub-section (1) of section 5 consists of the
land owned by the husband only, then, the wife can hold additional 15[10 standard
acres] section 5(4). The remaining 15[15 standard acres] will be treated as surplus
land.
(d) A Christian family consists of the husband, his wife and his two minor sons. The
husband, and the minor sons have no property. The wife has stridhana land of
16 [20 standard acres]. The family can retain 16 [15 standard acres]. The remaining
16 [5 standard acres] will be treated as surplus land and the wife is not entitled to
hold any additional extent of stridhana land section 5(4).
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) and in sub-section (4)
and in Chapter VIII, the total extent of the land held or deemed to be held by any
family 17[shall, in no case, exceed 30 standard acres].
(6) In calculating the extent of land held or deemed to be held by any person, the
extent of land which may revert to such person, immediately after the death of
any limited owner shall, during the lifetime of the limited owner, be excluded.
1. Substituted for the following original clause (a) by Tamil Nadu
Act 37 of 1972, which was deemed to have come into force on the
1st March 1972.
"(a) Subject to the provisions of Chapter VIII, the ceiling area in
the case of every person and, subject to the provisions of sub-
sections (4) and (5) and of Chapter VIII, the ceiling area in the
case of every family consisting of not more than five members,
shall be 30 standard acres.
In the said clause, for the figures and words "30 standard acres"
the figures and words "15 standard acres" were earlier substituted
by section 2(2)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Land (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Third Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972),
which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972).
2. Substituted for the expression "subject to the provisions of sub-
sections (4) and (5)" by section 3(4)(a)(ii) of Tamil Nadu Act 37 of
1972.
3. Substituted for the figures and words "30 standard acres" by
Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970 which was deemed to have come into
force on the 15th February 1970,
4. Inserted by section 3(4)(a)(iii) of Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972
which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
5. Sub-sections (3-A), (3-B) and (3-C) were inserted by section
3(4)(b) of Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972 which was deemed to have
come into force on the 1st March 1972.
6. Inserted by section 4(1) of Tamil Nadu Act 29 of 1987.
7. Substituted for the figures and words "30 standard acres" by
Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970, which was deemed to have come into
force on the 15th February 1970.
8. Substituted for the figure and were "80 standard acres" "20
standard acres", "30 standard acres" and "20 standard acres"
respectively by sections 2(2)(c)(i)(ii), ibid.
9. Substituted for the figure and words "20 standard acres" "30
standard acres", "10 standard acres" and "30 standard acres"
respectively by sections 2(2)(c)(i)(a) of Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970,
which was deemed to have come into force on the 15th February
1970.
10. Substituted for the expression, "All the members of As family
will therefore be together entitled to hold 30 standard acres and
the remaining 60 acres will be treated as surplus land" by section
2(2)(c)(ii)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970, w.e.f. 15th
February 1970.
11. Substituted for the figure and were "20 standard acres", "30
standard acres", "20 standard acres", "30 standard acres", "30
standard acres" and "20 standard acres" by section 2(2)(c)(iii),
ibid.
12. Substituted for the figure and were "25 standard acres", "20
standard acres", "20 standard acres", "30 standard acres", "10
standard acres" and "30 standard acres" respectively by sections
2(2)(d)(i), ibid.
13. Substituted for the figure and were "25 standard acres", "30
standard acres", "5 standard acres", "30 standard acres", "5
standard acres" and "30 standard acres" respectively by sections
2(2)(d)(ii)(a), ibid.
14. Substituted for the expression "Ten standard acres will be
treated as surplus land" by section 2(2)(d)(ii)(b), ibid.
15. Substituted for the figure and were "30 standard acres", "50
standard acres", "10 standard acres" and "40 standard acres"
respectively by section 2(2)(e) of the Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970,
w.e.f. 15th February 1970.
16. Substituted for the words "40 standard acres", "30 standard
acres" and "10 standard acres" by section 2(2)(f), ibid.
17. Substituted for the expression "shall in no case exceed 40
standard acres" by section 3(2) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 39 of 1972), which was deemed to have come into force
on the 1st March 1972 (The figures and words "40 standard acres"
w ere earlier substituted for the figures and words "60 standard
acres" by section 3(3) of Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972 which was
deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
6. Basis of calculation of the extent of land held by the
founder of a [public trust] :-

Where under the terms of a 1[public trust] interest either in the

land in respect of which the 1[pubic trust] is created or in the land
income from such land is reserved in favour of the founder of such
1[public trust] or of any other person. The authorized officer shall
declare the extent of land which bears of a to the total extent of
land in respect of which the 1[public trust] is created, the same
proportion as such interest bears to the total interest in such land
or the income therefrom. The extent of the land so declared shall,
with effect from the date of such declaration, be deemed to be held
by the founder or such other person and shall be taken into account
in calculating the extent of land held by him. The extent so
declared shall cease to be the 1[public trust] property from the
date of such declaration, but shall be subject to any other liability
that may be subsisting on such land:
Provided that the extent of such liability shall bear same proportion
to the entire liability as the extent so declared bears to the total
extent.
1. This word "public" was inserted by section 3(5) of Tamil Nadu
Act 37 of 1972, which was deemed to have come into force on the
1st March 1972.

7. Ceiling on holding land :-

On and from the date of the commencement of this Act, no person

shall, except as otherwise provided in this Act, but subject to the
provisions of Chapter VIII, be entitled to hold land in excess of the
ceiling area:
Provided that while calculating the total extent of land held by any
person, any extent in excess of the ceiling area and not exceeding
half an acre in the case of wet land and one acre in the case of dry
land shall, irrespective of the assessment of such land, be excluded.
1Explanation.--Notwithstanding any thing contained in this Act, for
the purpose of this proviso "acre" means ordinary acre.
1. Explanation was added by Tamil Nadu Act 36 of 1998.

8. Furnishing of return by person holding land in excess of

the standard acres :-

(1) 1[2[Within thirty days] from the notified date], every person,
who on the date of the commencement of this Act, held, deemed to
have held, land 3[in excess of the ceiling area] shall, in respect of
all land held or deemed to have been held by such person on such
date, furnish to the authorized officer within whose jurisdiction the
holding of such person or the major part thereof is situated, a
return containing the following particulars, namely:--
(i) particulars of all the land;
(ii) particulars of the members of the family and of the stridhana
land held by each female member of the family;
(iii) particulars of any interest either in the land held by a trust or
in the income from such land reserved in his favour or in favour of
any members of his family;
(iv) [Omitted by section 3(3)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 39 of 1972), which was deemed to have come into force
on the 1st March 1972.]
(v) particulars of land--
(a) interspersed among plantations, or
(b) contiguous to plantations, if any
in existence 4[on the date of the commencement] of this Act in any
area 5[...] and which land such person desires to hold for extence
or ancillary purposes of the plantation;
(vi) particulars of the encumbrances, if any, over the land together
with the name and address of the creditor;
(vii) particulars of any pending litigation respecting the land or part
thereof;
(viii) particulars of the land which such person desires to retain
within the ceiling area and the land which he desires to be declared
as surplus land;
(ix) particulars of the land held by tenant, if any, and the name
and address of such tenant; 6[and]
(x) [Omitted by section 3(3)(a)(ii) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971).]
(xi) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
7Explanation I.--In the case of a member of the Armed Forces, the
reference to ninety days shall be deemed to be a reference to one
year.
Explanation II.--Where land is held or deemed to be held by--
(a) an individual, the return shall be furnished by him or any
person authorized by him in writing in this behalf;
(b) a person who is a minor, lunatic, idiot, or is subject to a like
disability, the return shall be furnished by the guardian, manager
or other person in-charge of such person or of the property of such
person;
(c) a company or other corporate body, the return shall be
furnished by any person competent to act for such company or
body in this behalf.
Explanation III.--Where land is held or deemed to be held by a
family, the return shall be furnished by the person in management
of such family or of the property of such family and the return so
furnished shall be binding on the other members of the family:
Provided that the authorized officer shall give to the other members
of the family a reasonable opportunity of making their
representations and of adducing evidence, if any, in respect of such
return and shall consider such representations and evidence before
the preparation of the draft statement under subsection (1) of
section 10.
(2) [Omitted by section 3(3)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971)].
1. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970, which was deemed to
have come into force on the 15th February 1970.
2. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972, which was deemed to
have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
3. Substituted for the expression "in excess of 15 standard acres"
by section 3(6) of (Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972), which was deemed
to have come into force on the 1st March 1972. (These figures and
words "15 standard acres" were earlier substituted for the figures
and words "30 standard acres" by section 2(3)(b)(ii) of Tamil Nadu
Act 17 of 1970, which was deemed to have come into force on the
15th February 1970.
4. Substituted for the words "on 6th day of April 1969" by section 2
of Tamil Nadu Act 30 of 1972, which was deemed to have come
into force on the 6th April 1960.
5. The words "other than a hill area" were omitted by section 3(4)
of Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972, which was deemed to have come
into force on the 1st March 1972.
6. Inserted by section 3(3)(a)(i) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
7. Substituted for the original Explanation Tamil Nadu Act 17 of
1970, which was deemed to have come into force on the 15th
February 1970.
9. Collection of information :-

(1) If any person who has held or is deemed to have held land 1[in
excess of ceiling area] fails to furnish the return under information
section 8 or furnishes an incorrect or incomplete return under that
section, the authorized officer may, by notice, require such person
to furnish the return or the additional particulars, as the case may
be, within the time specified in the notice, or within such further
time not exceeding thirty days as the authorized officer may, in his
discretion, allow.
(2) (a) Where any person, on whom notice under sub-section (1)
has been served, fails to furnish the return, or the additional
particulars, as the case may be, within the time specified in that
notice, or within the further time allowed by the authorized officer
under sub-section (1), the authorized officer may obtain in such
manner as may be prescribed the necessary information either by
himself or through such agency as he thinks fit.
(b) The authorized officer shall, as soon as may be, after obtaining
the information under clause (a), give to the person concerned a
reasonable opportunity of making his representation and of
adducing evidence, if any, in respect of such information and
consider any such representation and evidence and pass such
orders as he deems fit.
( 3 ) Where the authorized officer finds from the return furnished
u n d e r section 8, or under sub-section (1), or the additional
particulars, if any, furnished under sub-section (1), or from the
informations obtained by the authorized officer under clause (a) of
sub-section (2) that the person concerned desires to hold--
(a) (i) any land interspersed among plantations, or
(ii) any land contiguous to any plantation, in existence 2[on the
date of the commencement of this Act] in any area 3[...], 4[...];
(b) [Omitted by section 3(4)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 39 of 1972)].
( 4 ) [Omitted by section 3(4) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971)].
1. Substituted for the expression "in excess of 15 standard acres"
by Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972, which was deemed to have come
into force on the 1st March 1972.
2. Substituted for the expression "on the 6th day of April 1960" by
section 2 of Tamil Nadu Act 30 of 1974, which was deemed to have
come into force on the 6th April 1960.
3. Substituted for the words "other than a hill area" by section 3(5)
of Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972.
4. The word "or" was omitted by section 3(4)(a) of Tamil Nadu Act
39 of 1972.
10. Preparation and publication of draft statement as
regards land in excess of the ceiling area :-

(1) On the basis of the return furnished under sub-section (1) of

section 8 and the basis of the representation and evidence under
the proviso to Explanation III to sub-section (1) of section 8 or on
the basis of the return furnished under sub-section (1) of section 9
and the additional particulars, if any, furnished under that sub-
section, or on the basis of the information obtained by the
authorized officer under clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 9
and the orders passed on the representation and the evidence, if
any, under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 9, as the case
may be, the authorized officer shall, subject to the provisions of
sub-section (2), (3) and (4) and after making such enquiry as he
deems fit, prepare a draft statement in respect of each person
holding or deemed to have held land in excess of the ceiling area.
Such draft statement shall contain the following particulars,
namely:--
(i) the name and address of the person;
(ii) particulars of all land held by such person and the total extent
of such land;
(iii) particulars of the members of the family and of the stridhana
land held by each female member of the family;
(iv) particulars of any interest either in the land held by a trust or
in the income from such land reserved in his favour or in favour of
any member of his family;
(v) [Omitted by section 3(5)(a) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 39 of 1972)].
(vi) particulars of land--
(a) interspersed among plantations, or
(b) contiguous to any plantation, in existence 1[on the date of the
commencement of this Act] in any area 2[...] and which land such
person desires to hold for extension or ancillary purposes, of the
plantation;
(vii) particulars of encumbrances, if any over the land together with
the name and address of the creditor;
(viii) particulars of the land which such person desires to retain
within the ceiling area;
(ix) the extent of the ceiling area of the person;
( x ) particulars of the land which may be comprised within the
ceiling area;
(xi) particulars of the land held by tenant if any and the name and
address of such tenant;
(xii) particulars of the land proposed to be declared as surplus land;
3[and]
(xiii) [Omitted by section 3(5)(ii) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971)]
(xiv) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
(2) (a) For the purpose of calculating for the first time 4[after the
date of the commencement of this Act], the ceiling area of a family
holding land on the date of the commencement of this Act in excess
o f 5[15 standard acres], the authorized officer shall take into
account only those members of that family who are alive on the
notified date. But, for the purpose of calculating the ceiling area of
such family for the second or for any subsequent time, the
authorized officer shall take into account only those members of
that family who are alive on the date of the preparation of the draft
statement under sub-section (1).
(b) For the purpose of calculating the ceiling area of any other
family 5[for the first time after the date of commencement of this
Act, or for any subsequent time], the authorized officer shall take
into account only those members of that family who are alive on
the date of the preparation of the draft statement under sub-
section (1).
(3) If any person has failed to specify the particulars of the land
which he desires to retain within his ceiling area, the authorized
officer shall, as far as practicable, specify in the draft statement,
the land which is capable of easy and convenient enjoyment as the
land to be retained by such person within his ceiling area.
(4) If any person has specified the particulars of the land which he
desires to retain within his ceiling area, the authorised officer shall,
as far as practicable, 6[but subject to the provisions of sub-section
(4-A) and (4-B), declare the same land as comprised within his
ceiling area:
Provided that where, in the opinion of the authorised officer, the
utility of any land or part thereof held by any person has been
diminished by any wilful act of such person, after the date of the
commencement of this Act, the authorized officer shall declare such
land or any part thereof as comprised within his ceiling area:
Provided further that the authorized officer shall, subject to such
conditions as may be prescribed, declare the share of any person in
the land held by any agricultural company, a co-operative society
or a land mortgage bank, or any part of such share as comprise
within the ceiling area:
Provided also that, subject to the above provisions, the land which
t h e authorized officer proposes to declare as surplus land under
clause (xii) of sub-section (1) shall, as far as practicable, be such as
is capable of easy and convenient enjoyment.
7( 4 -A ) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4),
where the transfer or partition of any land has been declared to be
void under section 22, it shall be the duty of the authorised officer
to include, subject to the provisions of sub-section (4-B), such land
within the ceiling area of the transfer or the person effecting the
partition, as the case may be, as if no such transfer or partition had
taken place:
Provided that in respect of the land so included nothing in this sub-
section shall affect the rights of the transferee or of the person in
whose favour the partition was effected.
7(4-B) Where the transfer of any land has been declared to be void
under section 22 and where the extent of the land so transferred is
i n excess of the ceiling area of the transferor, the land so
transferred shall be included within the ceiling area of the
transferor in the following order of preference:--
(i) firstly, land transferred to a person who was landless
immediately before that date of such transfer and who was not
related to the transferor or any member of his family;
( ii) secondly, land transferred to a cultivating tenant who was
cultivating that land immediately before the date of such transfer;
(iii) thirdly, land transferred to a person who was not related to the
transferor or any member of his family; and
(iv) land transferred to others.
Explanation.--In this sub-section, "landless person" means a person
who does not hold any land.
(5) The draft statement shall be published and a copy thereof shall
be served on the persons concerned, the tenants, creditors and all
other persons who, in the opinion of the authorised officer, are
interested in the land to which such draft statement relates,
together with a notice stating that any objection to the draft
statement shall be preferred 8[within thirty days] from the service
of such notice. The authorized officer shall duly consider any
objection received within the time specified in the said notice from
the persons on whom a copy of the draft statement has been
served or any objection received 8[within thirty days] from the
date of the publication of the draft statement from any other
person. The authorized officer shall, after giving the objector a
reasonable opportunity of being heard and of adducing evidence, if
any, and, subject to such rules as may be made, pass such order as
he deems fit.
[Proviso was omitted by section 3(5)(b)(ii) of the Tamil Nadu Land
Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972
(Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972), which was deemed to have come into
force on the 1st March 1972.]
1. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 30 of 1974, which was deemed to
have come into force on 6th April 1960.
2. The words "other than a hill area" were omitted by Tamil Nadu
Act 20 of 1972.
3. Inserted by section 3(5)(i) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
4. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970.
5. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970.
6. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 7 of 1974.
7. Inserted by section 3(1)(ii) of Tamil Nadu Act 7 of 1974.
8. Substituted for the words "within sixty days" by Tamil Nadu Act
39 of 1972.
11. Authorised Officer to decide question of title in certain
cases :-

(1) If while considering the objections received under sub-section

(5) of section 10 or otherwise, the authorised officer finds that any
question has arisen regarding the title of a person to any land and
such question has not already been finally determined by, or is not
pending before a competent Court, the Land Tribunal or other
authority, the authorised officer may, subject to the provisions of
sub-section (2), decide such question summarily in such manner as
may be prescribed and may pass such order as he deems fit.
(2) Where in the opinion of the authorised officer, the decision of a
question under sub-section (1) involves a substantial question of
law or of fact, he shall, for reasons to be recorded in writing, refer
the question to the Land Tribunal.
(3) The order of the authorised officer under sub-section (1) shall
not be subject to any appeal or revision, but any party may, within
three months from the date of service of a copy of such order,
institute a suit in the Land Tribunal within whose jurisdiction the
land or the major part thereof is situated to have the order set
aside or modified, but subject to the final result of such suit, if any,
the order of the authorised officer shall be final.
12. Publication of final statement :-

After the disposal of the objections, if any, preferred under sub-

section (5) of section 10, and after passing the order, if any, under
sub-section (1) of section 11, the authorised officer shall, subject to
the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, make
necessary alterations in the draft statement in accordance with the
order passed on the objections aforesaid and the order, if any,
passed under sub-section (1) of section 11, and shall declare the
surplus land held by each person. The authorized officer shall,
thereafter, publish a final statement specifying therein the entire
land held by the person, the land to be retained by him within the
ceiling area and the land declared to be surplus land and such other
particulars as may be prescribed and cause a copy thereof to be
served on the persons referred to in sub-section (5) of section 10.
Such a statement shall, subject to the provisions of section 14, be
conclusive evidence of the facts staled therein.
13. Exclusion of certain land from calculation of ceiling area
:-

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 11 and 12, the

authorised officer shall, in calculating the extent of land held by
any person, exclude--
(i) the land in respect of which any question of title is pending
before a competent Court, or the 1[Land Tribunal 2[...]] or other
authority; 3[and]
[Omitted by section 3(6)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 39 of 1972) which was deemed to have come into force
on the 1st March 1972)]
(iii) the land in respect of which the question whether such land
could be permitted to be used for the extension or for ancillary
purposes, of the plantation in existence 4[on the date of the
commencement of this Act] in any area 5[...] is pending before the
Land Board;
and where after such exclusion, the land held by such person is in
excess of the ceiling area, he shall declare the land in excess to be
surplus land. The land so declared as surplus land shall be
incorporated in the final statement published under section 12.
(2) [Omitted by section 3(6) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971), which was deemed to come into force on the 1st
March 1972.]
1. Substituted for the words "Land Tribunal" by Tamil Nadu Act 3 of
1984.
2. The words "or the Special Appellate Tribunal" were omitted by
Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2003.
3. Inserted by section 3(6)(a) of Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972.
4. Substituted for the words "on the 6th day of April 1960" by
Tamil Nadu Act 30 of 1974.
5. The words "other than hill areas" were omitted by Tamil Nadu
Act 20 of 1972.

14. Amendment of final statement in certain cases :-

(1) As soon as may be, after the final disposal of the proceeding or
suit relating to the question of title of any land excluded under
clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 13, the authorised officer
shall--
(i) amend the final statement published under section 12, or
(ii) where there is no such final statement, prepare a final
statement, if necessary, under section, 12, in accordance with the
decision of the Court or the 1[Land Tribunal 2[...]] or other
authority, as the case may be.
(2) As soon as may be after the Land Board has decided--
(a) [Clause (a) and the word "or" at the end were omitted by
section 3(7) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972)
which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.]
(b) under section 31 whether any land excluded under clause (iii)
of sub-section (1) of section 13 could be permitted to be used for
extension, or for ancillary purposes of any plantation, the
authorised officer shall--
(i) amend the final statement published under section 12, or
(ii) where there is no such final statement prepare a final
statement, if necessary under section 12, in accordance with the
decision of the Land Board.
(3) [Omitted by section 3(7)(i) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971).]
(4) The final statement, amended or prepared under sub-section
3[(1) or (2)] shall be published and the authorized officer shall
cause a copy of the final statement as so amended or prepared to
be served on the persons referred to in sub-section (5) of section
10.
1. Substituted for the words "Land Tribunal" by Tamil Nadu Act 3 of
1984.
2. The words "or the Special Appellate Tribunal" were omitted by
Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2003.
3. This brackets, figures and words were substituted for the
brackets figures and words "(1), (2) or (3)" by sub-section 3(7)(ii)
by Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
15. Power to rectify bona fide mistakes and clerical errors
:-

Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 12 or 14, the

authorized officer, may, either of his own motion or on the
application of any of the parties,--
(a) if he is satisfied that a bona fide mistake has been made in
regard to any entry in the final statement published under section
12 or 14, make the necessary corrections therein;
(b) at any time, correct any clerical or arithmetical mistake in
regard to any entry in such final statement.
16. Possession of land held by possessory mortgage to
revert to the possessory mortgagor in certain cases :-

(1) Where any land held by any person as possessory mortgager is

in excess of the ceiling area of such person, the possession of the
land in such excess shall, with effect from the date of publication of
the final statement under section 12 or 14--
(a) in any case where the total holding of the possessory mortgagor
is not in excess of the ceiling area, revert to the possessory
mortgagor;
(b) in any case where the total holding of the possessory mortgagor
is in excess of the ceiling area, and where he desires the land
mortgaged by him or any part thereof to be included within his
ceiling area in the return furnished by him under section 8, revert
to him subject to the condition that the land so reverted together
with the other land held by him does not exceed the ceiling area.
(2) Where the possession of the land in excess held by a
possessory mortgagee or any part thereof does not revert to the
possessory mortgagor under sub-section (1), the Government may
acquire such land under section 18.
(3) (a) (i) The possessory mortgagor to whom possession of the
land mortgaged revert under sub-section (1), shall pay the
mortgage money due to the possessory mortgagee in respect of
that land.
(ii) Where possession of a part only of the land mortgaged reverts
to the possessory mortgagor under sub-section (1), the possessory
mortgagor shall pay to the possessory mortgage, such amount of
the mortgage money as bears to the entire amount of the
mortgage money, the same proportion as the value of the part
aforesaid on the date of such reversion bears to the value of the
entire extent of the land mortgaged on the said date.
(iii) Where no agreement can be reached in respect of the
mortgage money payable under sub-clause (i) or (ii), the
authorised officer shall, subject to the provisions of sub-clause (iv)
and after making such enquiry as he deems fit, decide amount so
payable.
(iv) Where in the opinion of the authorised officer, the decision of a
question under sub-clause (iii) involves a substantial question of
law or of fact, he shall, for reasons to be recorded in writing, refer
the question to the Land Tribunal.
(b) The land or any part thereof, the possession of which reverts to
the possessory mortgagor under sub-section (1) shall be the
security for the payment of the mortgage money.
(c) The mortgage money referred to in clause (a) shall, for the
purpose of Article 132 of the First Division of the First Schedule to
the Indian Limitation Act, 1908 (Central Act IX of 1908)1, be
deemed to have become due with effect from the date of reversion
under sub-section (1), and shall carry interest at the rate of five
and a half per cent per annum from the said date.
Explanation.--In this sub-section, "mortgage money" means the
money payable in accordance with the provisions of the 2[Tamil
Nadu] Agriculturists Relief Act, 1938 (2[Tamil Nadu] Act IV of
1938).
(4) Where the possession of any land or any part thereof is likely to
revert to the possessory mortgagor under sub-section (1), the
authorised officer shall first fix the ceiling area of the possessory
mortgagee.
1. See now the Limitation Act, 1963 (Central Act 36 of 1963).
2. Substituted for word "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu Adoptions of
Laws order 1969 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Adoptions of Laws
(Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
17. Possession of land held by tenant to revert to the
landowner in certain cases :-

(1) Where any land held by any person as tenant is in excess of the
extent of land which he is entitled to hold under section 5, the
possession of the land in such excess shall, with effect from the
date of the publication of the final statement under section 12 or
14, revert to the landowner where and to the extent to which the
land of the landowner himself is not liable to be declared as surplus
land in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(2) Where in respect of any land, the possession of which reverts to
t h e landowner under sub-section (1), the contract of tenancy
provides for the continuance of the tenancy after the expiry of the
agricultural year immediately succeeding the date of such
reversion, such landowner shall pay 1[. . .] to the tenant an
amount equivalent to one-eight of 2[the annual value of the land
calculated in the manner specified in Part I of Schedule III.] Out of
3[such amount], three-fourths shall be paid to the cultivating
tenant and one-fourth to the intermediary, if any.
(3) If any dispute arises in regard to the amount 4[. . .] under sub-
section (2), either party may make an application to the authorised
officer within whose jurisdiction the land or the major part thereof
i s situated, for deciding such dispute. The authorised officer shall
decide such dispute in accordance with such procedure as may be
prescribed.
1. The words "as compensation" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act
11 of 1979 which was deemed to have come into force on the 20th
April 1972.
2. Substituted for the words "the fair rent calculated in the manner
specified in paragraph 4 of Part I of Schedule III" by Tamil Nadu
Act 11 of 1979 which was deemed to have come into force on the
27th October 1978.
3. Substituted for the words "such compensation" by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979
which was deemed to have come into force on the 20th April 1972.
4. The words "of compensation" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 11
of 1979.
18. Acquisition of surplus land :-

(1) After the publication of the final statement under section 12 or

14, the Government shall, subject to the provisions of section 16
and 17, publish a notification to the effect that the surplus land is
required for a public purpose.
(2) As soon as may be after the publication of a notification under
sub-section (1), the authorised officer shall--
(a) cause to be published in every village or town in which any part
of the land specified in such notification is situated a proclamation
containing the terms of the notification;
(b) cause a copy of the notification to be served on the persons
concerned, the creditors, persons whose names appear in the final
statement published under section 12 or 14 and such other persons
as may be specified in the rules made by the Government.
(3) On the publication of the notification under sub-section (1), the
land specified in the notification together with the trees standing on
such land and building 1[machinery, plant, apparatus, wells, filter
points or power lines], constructed, erected or fixed on such land
and used for agricultural purposes shall, subject to the provisions of
this Act, be deemed to have been acquired for a public purpose and
vested in the Government free from all encumbrances 2[with effect
from the date of such publication] and all right, title and interest of
all persons in such land with effect from the said date, be deemed
to have been extinguished:
Provided that where there is any crop standing on such land 3[on
the date of such publication], the authorised officer may, subject to
such conditions as may be prescribed, permit the harvest of such
crop by the person who had raised such crop.
(3-A) [Omitted by section 4(1)(c) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1978 (Tamil Nadu)
Act 25 of 1978.]
(4) Subject to the rules made under sub-section (5), the authorised
officer may, at any time after the publication of the notification
under sub-section (1), take possession of any land specified in the
said notification.
(5) The Government may make rules-
(a) specifying the classes of tenants, who may be allowed to
continue in possession of the land;
( b ) permitting any co-operative society registered or deemed to
have been registered under the 4[Tamil Nadu] Co-operative
Societies Act, 1932, (4[Tamil Nadu] Act VI of 1932)5 or under the
Travancore-Cochin Co-operative Societies Act, 1951 (Travancore-
Cochin Act X of 1952), or any land mortgage bank to which the
4[ Tamil Nadu] Co-operative Land Mortgage Banks Act, 19346
(4[Tamil Nadu] Act X of 1934) applies or any agricultural company
to continue in possession of the land notwithstanding anything
contained in sections 5 and 7 even after the publication of the
notification under sub-section (1). Such rules may also provide for
the condition subject to which the person referred to in clause (a)
and (b) may continue in possession of land.
1. Substituted for the expressions "machinery, plant or apparatus"
by Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
2. Substituted for the words "with effect from the date of the
commencement of this Act" by Tamil Nadu Act 25 of 1978.
3. Substituted for the words "on the date of the publication of the
notification under sub-section (1)" by Tamil Nadu Act 25 of 1978.
4. Substituted for the word "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation
of Laws Order, 1969 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of
Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
5. Now Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983 (Tamil Nadu
Act 30 of 1983).
6. Now the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Land Development Banks Act,
1934 (Tamil Nadu Act X of 1934).
18A. Direction by Land Commissioner :-

1[ Where, for any reason, the extent of any land held by any
person has not been included in the total extent of the land held by
such person for the purposes of this Act, the Land Commissioner
may, at any time, direct the authorised officer to include such land
in such total extent and the ceiling area shall be calculated or
recalculated, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions
of this Act, and accordingly, the provisions of section 9 and the
other provisions of this Act shall, as far as may be, apply as if the
extent of the land so included were mentioned in the return
required to be furnished under section 8.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972.

18B. Power of Government to modify notification under

section 18(1) consequent on correction under section 15 :-

1[ Where the authorised officer has made any correction under

section 15 in the final statement published under section 12 or 14,
t h e Government may, by notification, make the necessary con
sequential or incidental modification in the notification published
under subsection (1) of section 18.
1. Inserted by section 2 of Tamil Nadu Act 15 of 1974.

18C. Power of Government to cancel or modify notification

under section 18(1) in certain cases :-

1[ Where, as a result of any decision in any appeal or revision or

other proceeding or in pursuance of a direction under section 18-A,
t h e notification published under sub-section (1) of section 18
requires cancellation or modification, the Government may, by
notification, cancel or modify such notification to give effect to such
decision and nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the
issue of a fresh notification by the Government under sub-section
(1) of section 18 in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
1. Inserted by section 2 of Tamil Nadu Act 15 of 1974.

18D. Land not to have vested in certain cases :-

1[ (1) Where any notification,--

(a) is modified under section 18-B or 18-C, as the case may be, by
way of omission (whether relating to extent or survey number or
otherwise), the land to which such omission relates, or
(b) is cancelled under section 18-C, the surplus land specified in
such notification,
shall be deemed never to have vested in the Government and the
authorised officer shall make the necessary consequential
modification in 2[the assessment roll] concerned. Any amount paid
3[under section 50] in respect of such land shall be recovered by
the Government as if it were an arrear of land revenue.
(2) The land referred to in sub-section (1) shall stand reverted with
effect from the date of the publication of the notification effecting
the modification or cancellation, as the case may be, to the person
lawfully entitled to such land and any assignment of such land by
the Government to any person prior to such date shall be deemed
to have been cancelled. No claim shall be enforceable in respect of
such land against the Government or any person deriving rights
from them, for the period from the date of the vesting of such land
in the Government and ending with the date of reversion under this
sub-section.
1. Inserted by section 2 of Tamil Nadu Act 15 of 1974.
2. Substituted for the words "the compensation assessment roll" by
Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
3. Substituted for the words "by way of compensation" by section
5(ii)(b), ibid.
18E. Vesting of land newly included :-

1[ Where any notification is modified under section 18-B or 18-C by

way of inclusion, the land to which such inclusion relates shall be
deemed to have vested in the Government as if such land were
included in a notification issued under sub-section (1) of section 18
and accordingly, the provisions of this Act shall apply to the land so
vested.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 16 of 1974.

18F. [Amount payable by] persons in possession of the

property vested in the Government :-

1[2[(1) Every person who, after the date of vesting of the property
in the Government under sub-section (3) of section 18, is in
possession of, or deriving any benefit from, such property, shall be
liable to pay to the Government for the period for which he is in
such possession or deriving such benefit after such vesting, an
amount 3[ . . ] for the use, occupation or enjoyment of that
property as the authorised officer may fix in the prescribed manner.
Such officer shall take in to consideration such factors as may be
prescribed.
(2) Any amount payable to the Government under sub-section (1)
shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 25 of 1978.
2. Substituted for the words "Compensation from" by Tamil Nadu
Act 11 of 1979.
3. The words "as compensation" were omitted by section 5(iii)(b),
ibid.

CHAPTER 3 Ceiling on future acquisition and restriction on certain

transfers
19. Declaration to be made before the registering authority
in certain cases :-

(1) On and after the notified date, no document relating to any

transfer of land either by sale, gift, exchange, lease, 1[possessory
mortgage], surrender, agreement, settlement, or otherwise, shall
be registered unless a declaration in writing in made in duplicate in
such form as may be prescribed and filed by the transferee before
the registering authority under the Indian Registration Act, 1908
(Central Act XVI of 1908)2, as to the total extent of land held by
him.
(2) The registering authority referred to in sub-section (1) shall
forward within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed,
one copy of the declaration referred to in sub-section (1) to the
authorised officer, within whose jurisdiction the land which is the
subject-matter of the transfer or the major part thereof is situated.
(3) On receipt of the copy of the declaration under sub-section (2),
the authorised officer may obtain such information as may be
necessary and take such action as he deems fit in accordance with
the provisions of this Act, and in accordance with such rules as may
be made in this behalf.
1. Substituted for the word "mortgage" by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of
1965 which shall be deemed to have come into force on the 2nd
May 1962.
2. Now Registration Act, 1908 (Central Act XVI of 1908).

20. Penalty for future acquisition in contravention of

section 7 :-

(1) If, as a result of any transfer of land either by sale, gift (other
than gift made in contemplation of death), exchange, surrender,
agreement, settlement or otherwise effected on or after the notified
date, the extent of land held by the transferee exceeds the ceiling
area, then, the right, title or interest accrued, in his favour by
virtue of such transfer in the land in excess of the ceiling area shall,
as a penalty for contravention of the provisions of section 7, be
deemed to have been transferred to the Government with effect
f rom the date of such transfer, on a declaration made by the
authorised officer within whose jurisdiction such excess land or the
major part thereof is situated. The authorised officer shall record in
writing the reasons for such declaration:
Provided that--
(a) no such declaration shall be made unless the transferor and the
transferee have been given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard and of adducing evidence, if any,
(b) the transferee shall be liable for payment of the consideration
for, and to discharge other liabilities under, such transaction and
the transferor shall have no claim for such consideration against the
Government, otherwise than in respect of such land,
(c) no suit or other proceeding by the transferee shall lie in any
court for the refund of the consideration for any such transaction.
Explanation.--For the purpose of this sub-section, "transfer" does
not include inheritance, bequest, lease or possessory mortgage.
(2) The Government may make rules providing for the manner in
which any right, title or interest transferred to the Government
under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of.
20A. Penalty for future acquisition in contravention of
certain provision :-

1[(1) Any acquisition of any land made in contravention of the

provisions of sub-section (2) of section 2, of sub-clause (ii) of
clause (c) of sub-section (1), sub-clause (ii) of clause (d) of sub-
section (1), clause (b) of sub-section (3-B); and of subsection (3-C)
of section 5, shall be null and void and any land which is so
acquired shall, as a penalty for such contravention, be deemed to
have been transferred to the Government with effect from the date
of such acquisition on a declaration made by the authorised officer
within whose jurisdiction such land or the major part thereof is
situated. The authorised officer shall record in writing the reasons
for such declaration:
Provided that--
(a) no such declaration shall be made unless the transferor and the
transferee have been given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard and of adducing evidence, if any,
(b) the transferee shall be liable for the payment of the
consideration for, and to discharge other liabilities under such
transaction and the transferor shall have no claim for such
consideration against the Government, otherwise than in respect of
such land,
(c) no suit or other proceeding by the transferee shall lie in any
Court for the refund of the consideration for any such transaction.
(2) The Government may make rules providing for the manner in
which any right, title or interest transferred to the Government
under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of.
1. Inserted by section 3(7) of Tamil Nadu Act 37 of 1972.

21. Ceiling on future acquisition by inheritance, bequest or

by sale in execution of decree, etc :-
(1) If, on or after the date of the commencement of this Act--
(a) any person acquires by inheritance or bequest from any person;
(b) and before the notified date, any person acquires by sale in
execution of a decree or order of a Civil Court or of an award or
order of any other lawful authority;
any land, which, together with the land, if any, already held by
him, exceeds in the aggregate the ceiling area, then, he shall,
within ninety days from the notified dale or from the date of such
acquisition, whichever is later, furnish to the authorised officer
within whose jurisdiction his holding or the major part thereof is
situated, a return containing the following particulars, namely:--
(i) particulars of the land already held by him and those of the land
so acquired;
(ii) particulars of the land which he desires to retain within the
ceiling area;
(iii) particulars of the date of the acquisition;
(iv) particulars of the manner of acquisition and of the documents,
if any, under which such acquisition was made;
( v ) the name and description of the person who held the land
immediately before the date of acquisition;
(vi) particulars of the land held by tenant, if any, and the name
and address of such tenant; and
(vii) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
Explanation.--In this sub-section, request shall include gift made in
contemplation of death.
[Explanation II was omitted by section 2(6)(a) of the Tamil Nadu
Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970 (Tamil Nadu
Act 11 of 1970) which was deemed to come into force on the 15th
February 1970]
(2) If, as a result of marriage or adoption on or after the date of
t h e commencement of this Act, the extent of land held by any
person exceeds in the aggregate the ceiling area, then, he shall,
within ninety days from the notified date or from the date of
marriage or adoption, as the case may be, whichever date is later,
furnish to the authorised officer within whose jurisdiction his
holding or the major part thereof situated, a return containing the
following particulars, namely:--
(i) particulars of the land held before the date of the marriage or
adoption;
(ii) particulars of the land held after the date of marriage or
adoption; and
(iii) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
[(Explanation was omitted by section 2(6)(b) of the Tamil Nadu
Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970 (Tamil Nadu
Act 17 of 1970), which was deemed to have come into force on the
15th February 1970)]
(3) If he furnishes the return or fails to furnish the return or
furnishes an incorrect or incomplete return within the period
specified in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the provisions of
section 9 and other provisions of this Act shall, as far as may be,
apply as if it were a return required to be furnished under section
8.
21A. Certain portions and transfers to be valid :-

1[ Notwithstanding anything contained in section 22 or in any other

provision of this Act and in any other law for the time being in
force, where, 2[after the 15th day of February 1970, but before the
2nd day of October 1970]--
(a) any person has effected by means of a registered instrument a
partition of his holding or part thereof; or
(b) any parent or grand-parent has voluntarily transferred any land
on account of natural love and affection to any minor son,
unmarried daughter minor grand-son, or unmarried grand-daughter
in the male line; or
(c) any person has voluntarily transferred any land--
(i) to any educational institution; or
(ii) hospital,
of a public nature solely for the purposes of such institution or
hospital; such partition or transfer shall be valid:
Provided that in the case of transfer to such educational institutions
or hospital, the land transferred absolutely vests in the institutions
or hospital and the entire income from such land is appropriated for
the institution or hospital.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970.
2. Substituted for the words "after the date of the commencement
of this Act but before the notified date" by Tamil Nadu Act 37 of
1972, which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March
1972.
22. [Transfer or partition] made on or after the date of the
commencement of this Act, but before the notified date :-

1[(1) Where, on and after the date of the commencement of this

Act, but before the notified date, any person has transferred any
land held by sale, gift (other than gift made in contemplation of
death), exchange, surrender, settlement or in any other manner
whatsoever except by request 2[or has effected a partition of his
holding or part thereof], the authorised officer with in whose
jurisdiction such land, holding or the major part thereof situated
may after notice to such person and other persons affected by such
transfer 1[or partition] and after such enquiry as he thinks fit to
make 3[declare the transfer or partition to be void if he finds that
the transfer or the partition, as the case may be], defeats any of
the provisions of this Act.
(2) For the purpose of sub-section (1), if any transfer or partition
has the effect of reducing the extent of surplus land in excess of
the ceiling area, such transfer or partition, whether bona fide or
not, shall be construed as defeating the provisions of this Act.
1. The words "or partition" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of
1970 and these words were substituted for the word "Transfer" by
section 4(a) of Tamil Nadu Act 7 of 1974.
2. The words "or has effected a partition of his holding or part
thereof omitted by section 2(8)(b) of Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1979
which was deemed to have come into force on the 15th February
1970, and again inserted by section 4(b) of Tamil Nadu Act 7 of
1974 which was deemed to have come into force on the 2nd
October 1970.
3. Substituted for the words "declare the transfer to be void if he
finds that the transfer" by Tamil Nadu Act 7 of 1974.
CHAPTER 4 CONSTITUTION OF THE LAND BOARD
23. Transfer or sub-division made or effected before the
publication of notification under sub-section (1) of section
18 :-

1[ (1) Subject to the provisions of section 20, for the purpose of

fixing, for the first time 2[after the date of the commencement of
this Act], the ceiling area of any person holding land on the date of
the commencement of this Act in excess of 3[15 standard acres]--
(a) any transfer, whether by sale (including sale in execution of a
decree or order of a Civil Court or of an award or order of any other
lawful authority) or by gift (other than gift made in contemplation
of death), exchange, surrender, settlement or otherwise; or
(b) any sub-division (including sub-division by a decree or order of
a Civil Court or any other lawful authority) whether by partition or
otherwise; effected on or after the notified date and before the
publication of a notification under sub-section (1) of section 18
shall be, and shall be deemed always to have been, void and
accordingly the authorised officer shall calculate the ceiling area of
such person as if no such transfer or sub-division had taken place.
Explanation.--This sub-section shall, on and from the 15th day of
February 1970, have effect as if for the figures and words "30
standard acres", the figures and words "15 standard acres" had
been substituted.
(2) It shall be the duty of the authorised officer to include the land
so transferred or sub-divided, within the ceiling area of the
transferor or the person who held the land immediately before such
sub-division, as the case may be, as if no such transfer or sub-
division had taken place.
1. Substituted for the original section by Tamil Nadu Act 32 of
1974.
2. These words were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 7 of 1974.
3. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1979.

24. Constitution of the Land Board :-

1(1) The Government may constitute for the State a Board called
the 2[Tamil Nadu Land Board].
(2) The Land Board shall consist of--
[Clause (a) was omitted by section 2(1)(a)(i) of the Tamil Nadu
Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Second Amendment Act,
1983 (Tamil Nadu Act 2 of 1984).]
(b) the Land Commissioner, ex-officio;
3(c) The Chief Conservator of Forests, ex-officio;
4(cc) The Director of Land Reforms, ex-officio.
(3) The member referred to in 5[clause (b)] of sub-section (2) shall
be the Chairman of the Land Board. The Secretary to the Land
Board shall be a Gazetted Officer nominated by the Government,
but he shall not be entitled to vote.
(4) (a) The term of office of a member referred to in clause 6[(d)]
of sub-section (2) shall be three years or such shorter period as the
Government may fix and such member shall be eligible for re-
nomination.
(b) Any member referred to in 6[clause (d)] of sub-section (2) shall
be deemed to have vacated his seat if he absents himself without
excuse, sufficient in the opinion of the Land Board, from the
meetings of the Land Board, for a period of three consecutive
months reckoned from the date of the commencement of his term
of office or of the last meeting which he attended, as the case may
be, or if, within the said period less than three meetings have been
held, absents himself from three consecutive meetings held after
the said date:
Provided that no meeting from which a member absents himself
shall be counted against him under this clause if due notice of that
meeting was not given to him.
(5) A member referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (2) may, at
any time by notice in writing to the Government, and a member
referred to in clause (d) of that sub-section may, at any time, by
notice in writing to the Chairman, resign his office, but he shall
continue in office until the nomination of his successor.
(6) (a) A casual vacancy in the office of a member referred to in
clause (a) or (d) of sub-section (2) shall be filled by fresh
nomination.
(b) The person nominated to fill a casual vacancy under clause (a)
shall hold office for a period of three years or for such shorter
period as the Government may fix and he shall be eligible for re-
nomination.
1. By virtue of section 6 of Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972 on and from
the date of publication of the said Act, the Land Board existing on
that date stood abolished, the members thereof ceased to hold
office as such and the consequences specified in the said section
followed.
2. Substituted for the word "Madras Land Board" by paragraph 3(1)
of and the Schedule to, the Tamil Nadu Adaptation Laws Order,
1970.
3. Substituted for the original clauses (c) and (d) by Tamil Nadu
Act 39 of 1972.
4. Substituted by section 2(1)(a)(ii), ibid.
5. Substituted for the expression "clause (a)" by Tamil Nadu Act 2
of 1984.
6. Substituted for the expression "clause (a) or (d)", ibid.
25. Functions of the Land Board :-
The Land Board shall perform such functions as are assigned to it
by or under this Act.
26. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
27. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
28. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
29. Omitted :-

[Omitted by section 3(10) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms

(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 39 of 1972)].
30. Application to the Land Board for future acquisition of
land interspersed among or continuous to any plantation :-

A n y owner of plantation in existence 1[ o n the date of the

commencement of this Act] in any area 2[. . .] desiring to acquire
in excess of the ceiling area land which is interspersed among
plantations or is contiguous to any plantation and which may be
required for the extension, or for ancillary purposes, of the
plantation shall make an application to the Land Board for
permission to acquire such land. Every such application shall be in
writing and shall contain--
(a) the extent and other particulars of the land proposed to be
acquired and those of the land, if any, held by the applicant;
(b) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
1. Substituted for the expression "on the 6th day of April 1960" by
Tamil Nadu Act 30 of 1974.
2. The words "other than hill areas" were omitted by Tamil Nadu
Act 20 of 1972 which was deemed to have come into force on the
1st March 1972.
31. Decision of the Land Board in respect of land
interspersed among or contiguous to any plantation :-
On receipt of a copy of the return, additional particulars or
information, as the case may be, forwarded by the authorised
officer under clause (a) of sub-section (3) of section 9 or on receipt
of the application under section 30, the Land Board shall, after
making such enquiry and inspection of the land and the plantation
specified in the application as it deems fit and after satisfying itself
that the land in respect of which permission is required is necessary
for the extension, or for ancillary purposes, of the plantation, grant
the permission for the whole or part of such land and subject to
such conditions as it deems fit, or refuse to grant such permission:
Provided that the extent of land which is contiguous to any
plantation and in respect of which land permission is granted under
this section shall in no case exceed twenty per centum of the total
extent of such plantation.
32. Matters to be considered by the Land Board in granting
or refusing permission under section 31 :-

The Land Board shall, in deciding whether to grant or refuse

permission under section 31, take into consideration, the following
matters, namely:--
(i) area under plantation and area required for ancillary purposes of
the plantation;
(ii) programme for extension of the plantation;
(iii) lands necessary for factories, labour quarters, playgrounds,
hospitals, schools and other ancillary buildings; and
(iv) such other matters as may be prescribed.
33. Cancellation of permission granted under section 31 :-

T he Land Board may cancel the permission granted under section

31--
( a ) on the breach of any condition specified by the Land Board
under section 31, or
(b) if the land in respect of which the permission was granted is
used for any purpose other than for the purpose of extension, or for
ancillary purposes, of the plantation, or
(c) if the person concerned has obtained the permission by fraud or
misrepresentation:
Provided that no such permission shall be cancelled unless a
reasonable opportunity has been given to the person likely to be
affected by such cancellation, to show cause against such
cancellation.
34. Decision of the Land Board to be final :-

The decision of the Land Board granting or refusing permission

under 1[. . ] 2[section 31] or cancelling permission under 2[section
33] shall be final and shall not be called in question in any Court.
1. The expression "subject to the provisions of section 83" was
omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2003.
2. Substituted for the words and figures "section 27 or 31" and
"section 29 or 33", respectively, by Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972
which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.

35. Meetings of the Land board :-

(1) The Land Board shall meet at such times and the places and
shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of
business at its meetings as may be prescribed.
(2) The Chairman, or in his absence, such member as may be
chosen by the members present from among themselves shall
preside at a meeting of the Land Board.
(3) No member of the Land Board shall vote on, or take part in, the
discussion of any question coming up for consideration at a meeting
of the Land Board, if the question is one in which he is directly or
indirectly interested.
(4) All questions at a meeting of the Land Board shall be decided
by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting and
in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman or in his absence,
the member presiding shall have a second or casting vote.
(5) All communications and orders of the Land Board shall be
issued by the Secretary or by such officer subordinate to him as
may be authorised by the Land Board in this behalf.
36. Power of Land Board to rectify bona fide mistakes and
clerical errors :-

The Land Board may, either of its own motion or on the application
of any of the parties--
(a) if it is satisfied that a bona fide mistake has been made in
regard to any decision, make the necessary correction therein;
(b) at any time, correct any clerical or arithmetical mistake in its
decision.
37. Act of Land Board not to be invalidated by informality :-
N o act of the Land Board shall be deemed to be invalid by reason
only of a defect in its constitution or on the ground that the
Chairman or any member had ceased to hold his office or by reason
of such act having been done during the period of any vacancy in
the office of the Chairman or any member of the Land Board.
CHAPTER 4A PERMISSION BY GOVERNMENTTO HOLD EXCESS
LAND BY INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS
37A. Industrial or commercial undertaking to apply to
Government for permission to hold excess land :-

1CHAPTER IV-A
PERMISSION BY GOVERNMENT TO HOLD EXCESS LAND BY
INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS
1[2( 1 ) If any industrial or commercial undertaking desires to
acquire any land in excess of the ceiling area or desires to hold land
acquired in excess of the ceiling area, it shall make an application
to the Government for permission to acquire such land or for
permission to hold such acquired land, as the case may be. Every
such application shall be in writing and contain such particulars as
may be prescribed:
Provided that an application for permission to hold such acquired
land shall be made within such period as may be prescribed.
Explanation.--In this section, "industrial or commercial undertaking"
means any industrial or commercial undertaking (other than a co-
operative society) which bona fide carries on any industrial or
commercial operation.
( 2 ) The Government may grant the permission for the whole or
part of the land specified in the application, subject to such
conditions as they deem fit or refuse to grant such permission. The
order granting such permission shall contain the particulars of the
land in respect of which such permission is granted.
(3) The Government shall, in deciding whether to grant or refuse
the permission under sub-section (2), take into consideration the
following factors, namely:--
(a) the nature of the industrial or commercial operation;
(b) whether the excess land is required for immediate use or use in
future; and
(c) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, no industrial or
commercial undertaking which has been approved by the
Government under clause (iv) of section 73 before the date of the
publication of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Second Amendment Act 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972) in
the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, shall be entitled to hold or
acquire land in excess of the ceiling area unless such industrial or
commercial undertaking has obtained the permission of the
Government under this section in respect of such excess land.
(5) The Government may cancel the permission in respect of any
land granted under this section on the breach of any condition
specified by the Government.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972 which was deemed to
have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
2. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 23 of 2010, which shall be
deemed to have come into force on the 1st day of March 1972
37B. Public trust to apply to Government for permission to
hold or acquire land for educational or hospital purposes :-

1[2(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, but subject

to the provisions of section 73,--
(a) if any public trust created before the 1st March 1972 desires to
acquire any land in excess of the ceiling area or desires to hold land
acquired in excess of the ceiling area; and
(b) if any public trust created after the 1st March 1972 desires to
acquire any land or desires to hold land acquired, for the purpose
of,--
(i) establishing any educational institution or hospital; or
(ii) expanding any existing educational institution or hospital by
way of addition to, alteration of, or improvement to, any
educational institution or hospital,
it shall make an application to the Government, for permission to
acquire such land or for permission to hold such acquired land, as
the case may be. Every such application shall be in writing and
shall contain such particulars as may be prescribed:
Provided that an application for permission to hold such acquired
land shall be made within such period as may be prescribed.
3Explanation.--In this section,--
(A) "educational institution" means any college (including
engineering or medical or agricultural or veterinary college) or any
school or other equivalent institution or any polytechnic institution;
(B) "hospital" means any place for the reception and treatment of
persons suffering from illness or injury and include any maternity
home, asylum, infirmary, lying-in-hospital or any place for the
reception and treatment of persons during convalescence, but does
not include a dispensary.
(2) The Government may grant the permission 4[prospectively] for
the whole or part of the land specified in the application, subject to
such conditions as they deem fit, or refuse to grant such
permission. The order granting such permission shall contain the
particulars of the land in respect of which such permission is
granted.
(3) The Government shall, in deciding whether to grant or refuse
the permission under sub-section (2), take into consideration, the
following factors, namely:--
(a) the purposes and objectives of the public trust 5[. . .];
(b) whether the land is required for immediate use or use in future;
and
(c) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
(4) The Government may cancel the permission in respect of any
land granted under this section on the breach of any condition
specified by the Government.
1. This section was inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 29 of 1987.
2. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 23 of 2010, which shall be
deemed to have come into force on the 15th day of July 1987.
3. This Explanation was substituted by section 4(1)(b)(hi), of Tamil
Nadu Act 29 of 1987
4. This word was substituted by section 4(1)(c) by Tamil Nadu Act
29 of 1987.
5. These words were omitted for the words "or educational
institution or hospital as the case may be" by section 4(1)(d), ibid.
CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER V
38. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
39. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
40. Omitted :-
[Omitted]
41. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
42. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
43. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
44. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
45. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
46. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
47. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
48. Omitted :-

[Omitted]
49. Omitted :-

1 [Omitted]

1. Sections 38 to 49 under Chapter V were omitted by section 3(9)

of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
CHAPTER 6 AMOUNT PAYABLE FOR LAND ACQUIRED
50. Determination of [amount] for land acquired by the
Government :-

1CHAPTER VI
2AMOUNT PAYABLE FOR LAND ACQUIRED
3[amount]
( 1 ) Every person whose right, title or interest in any land is
acquired by the Government under Chapter II shall be paid 3[an
amount] according to the rate specified in Schedule III 4[ a s in
force on the date of acquisition of such right, title or interest in any
such land].
5Explanation.--6I t is hereby declared that for the purposes of this
sub-section "person" shall include family and that where any right,
title or interest in any land held by a family or deemed to be held
by a family under sub-section (2) of section 5, is acquired by the
Government under Chapter II, the amount payable under this sub-
section shall be determined in respect of the whole of such right,
title or interest of the family in such land as a unit, whether such
right, title or interest is held individually or jointly by some or all of
the members of that family.
(2) Any person claiming any 7[amount] under sub-section (1) may,
8[within thirty days] from the date of the publication of the
notification under sub-section (1) of section 18 9[. . .], prefer the
claim before the authorised officer in such form and containing such
particulars as may be prescribed.
(3) (a) The authorised officer shall determine the amount 10[. . .]
at the rate specified in Schedule III, and prepare 11[ a draft
assessment roll] in such manner and containing such particulars as
may be prescribed. He shall cause it to be published together with-
-
(i) a statement that the amount 10[. . .] specified therein is the
entire amount 10[. . .] payable for all interests in the land and that
subject to the other provisions of this Act, the persons named
therein are the only persons who are entitled thereto in the
proportion stated therein, and
(ii) a notice stating that objections, if any, in respect of any entry
in the draft may be preferred by any person in such manner as may
b e prescribed 12[within thirty days] from the date of the
publication.
[Proviso was omitted by section 3(12)(ii)(b) of the Tamil Nadu Land
Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972
(Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972)]
(b) The authorised officer shall cause to be served on the persons
whose names appear in the draft aforesaid a copy of the draft
together with a copy of the said statement and of the said notice.
(4) The authorised officer shall consider any objection which may
be preferred under sub-section (3) and after giving the parties a
reasonable opportunity of being heard and of adducing evidence, if
any, pass such order as he thinks fit and record the reasons
therefor.
(5) When such objection, if any, in regard thereto has been finally
disposed of, the authorised officer shall make such alteration in
13[the draft assessment roll] as may be necessary to give effect to
any order made in regard to the objection and shall cause the draft
so altered to be published finally in such manner as may be
prescribed.
(6) If no objection is preferred within the period specified in the
notice published under sub-section (3), 14[. . .] the authorised
officer shall cause 13[the draft assessment roll] to be published
finally in such manner as may be prescribed.
(7) Every entry in the 15[ . . .] assessment roll published finally
under sub-section (5) or sub-section (6) shall, except as provided
in this Act, be final and conclusive evidence of--
(a) the matters referred to therein;
(b) the nature of the interest of the persons name therein; and
(c) the apportionment of the 16[amount] among the persons
claiming interest in the 16[amount].
(8) When the 17[ . . .] assessment roll has been published finally
under sub-section (5) or sub-section (6), the authorised officer
shall, within such time as may be prescribed, endorse a certificate
thereon stating the date of the final publication thereof and shall
date and subscribe the same with his name and official designation
and such certificate shall be conclusive proof of such publication
and the date of such publication.
(9) The authorised officer may, if he is satisfied either of his own
motion or on the application of any of the parties that a bona fide
mistake has been made in regard to any entry in the 18[draft
assessment roll or in the] 19[. . .] assessment roll as published
finally, make necessary correction therein and on such correction
being made, the provisions of sub-sections (3) to (8) shall, as far
as may be, apply thereto.
(10) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (9), the
authorised officer may at any time correct either of his own motion
or on the application of any of the parties any clerical or
arithmetical mistake in regard to any entry in the 18[draft
assessment roll or in the] assessment roll as published finally.
1. The additional assessment, additional water-cess or surcharge
payable under the Tamil Nadu Additional Assessment and
Additional Water-cess Act, 1963 (Tamil Nadu Act 8 of 1963) or the
Tamil Nadu Land Revenue and Water-cess (Surcharge) Act, 1965
Tamil Nadu Act 34 of 1965, as the case may be, shall not deemed
to be land revenue for the purpose of calculating standard acre
under the Tamil Nadu Act 58 of 1961. Please see section 17(ii) of
the Tamil Nadu Act 8 of 1963 and section 15(vi) of the Tamil Nadu
Act 34 of 1965.
2. This heading was substituted for the heading "Compensation" by
Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
3. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(v)(a), ibid.
4. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 25 of 1978, which was deemed to
have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
5. This Explanation was added by section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Land
Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1979 (Tamil
Nadu Act 11 of 1979).
6. Any proceedings taken or order passed under Tamil Nadu Act 58
of 1961 and disposed of between the 2nd May 1962 and the 27th
October 1978 contrary to the provisions of the said Act as amended
by section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Amendment Act, 1979 (Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979) shall be
reopened within a period of five years from the 27th October 1978
and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the said Tamil
Nadu Act 58 of 1961 as so amended. Please see section 9 of the
Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
7. Substituted for the word "compensation" by Tamil Nadu Act 11
of 1979.
8. Substituted for the words "within sixty days" by Tamil Nadu Act
39 of 1972.
9. The words "or within such further time not exceeding thirty days
as the authorised officer may in his discretion allow" were omitted
by Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972.
10. The words "of compensation" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act
11 of 1979.
11. Substituted for the words "a draft compensation assessment
roll" by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
12. Substituted for the words "within sixty days", by Tamil Nadu
Act 30 of 1972.
13. Substituted for the word "the draft compensation assessment
roll" by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
14. The words "or within the further time allowed by the authorised
officer that sub-section" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of
1979.
15. The word "compensation" was omitted by section 5(v)(f)(A),
ibid.
16. The word "compensation" was substituted by section 5(v)(f) (B)
by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979
17. The word "compensation" was omitted by section 5(v)(g), ibid.
18. Inserted by section 7(2)(ii), ibid.
19. The word "compensation" was omitted by section 6(v)(g), ibid.
51. Claims of mortgages or charge holder on surplus land :-

(1) Where any surplus land acquired under the provisions of this
Act is subject to a mortgage or charge subsisting on the date of the
acquisition, the mortgagee or the charge holder shall, where the
amount due to him or part thereof can be fixed by agreement, be
p a i d such amount or part. Where no such agreement can be
reached, the mortgagee or the charge holder shall 1[within sixty
days] from the date of the acquisition, prefer a claim in such
manner as may be prescribed before the authorised officer who
shall, subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), decide the claim
in such manner as may be prescribed and record the reasons for
the decision.
( 2 ) Where there are more claimants than one, the authorised
officer shall settle the order in which each claimant is entitled to
receive the amount due to him and, in doing so, he shall be guided
by the appropriate provisions of the Transfer or Property Act, 1882
(Central Act IV of 1882).
(3) Where, in the opinion of the authorised officer, the decision of a
claim under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) involves a
substantial question of law or of fact, he shall, for reasons to be
recorded in writing, refer the claim to the Land Tribunal for
decision.
(4) If the amount of claim allowed to the mortgagee or the charge
holder by the authorised officer exceeds 2[ t h e amount payable
under section 50, the entire amount payable under the said section
50] shall be paid to the mortgagee or the charge holder, as the
case may be, and the balance may be recovered by the mortgagee
or the charge holder in accordance with law for the time being in
force.
1. Substituted for the words "within ninety days" by Tamil Nadu Act
39 of 1972.
2. Substituted for the expression "the amount of compensation
payable under section 50, the entire amount of such compensation"
by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
52. Claims of limited owner on surplus land :-

(1) Where any surplus land acquired under the provisions of this
Act is held by a limited owner on the date of the acquisition, the
amount 1[ . . .] so payable in respect of such surplus land under
section 50 shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed,
be kept in deposit before such authority as may be prescribed. The
authorised officer shall direct payment of the interest accruing from
the amount 1[. . .] so deposited to the person or persons who
would, for the time being, have been entitled to the possession of
the said land:
Provided that where the limited owner has created an encumbrance
over the surplus land referred to in this section, the whole or any
portion of the interest aforesaid shall be paid to the encumbrancer,
to the extent to which the encumbrancer is entitled and the
balance shall be paid to the person or persons who would, for the
time being, have been entitled to the possession of the said land.
(2) The amount 2[. . .] referred to in sub-section (1) shall remain
so deposited until the same is paid to any person or persons
becoming absolutely entitled thereto.
1. The words "of compensation" were omitted by section 5(vii),
ibid.
2. The words "of compensation" were omitted by section 5(vii) by
Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
53. Claims of maintenance holder on surplus land :-

Where any surplus land acquired under the provisions of this Act is
on the date of the acquisition subject to a charge for payment of
maintenance to another, the amount 1[. . ] payable in respect of
such surplus land under section 50 shall, subject to such conditions
as may be prescribed, be kept in deposit before such authority as
may be prescribed. Such amount 1[ . . .] shall be deemed to be
substituted security and shall continue to remain such security till
the death of the maintenance holder or till the right to receive
maintenance ceases to exist or till the liability to pay maintenance
is discharged.
1. Substituted for the expression "the amount of compensation
payable under section 50, the entire amount of such compensation"
by, ibid.

54. Amount payable to certain tenants :-

1[(1) Where the contract of tenancy provides for the continuance of

t h e tenancy in respect of any surplus land that vests in the
Government under section 18, after the expiry of the agricultural
year immediately succeeding the date of such vesting, the tenant
shall be entitled to 2[an amount] as specified in Schedule IV:
Provided that such tenant shall not be entitled to any 3[amount] in
respect of such surplus land also under sub-section (1) of section
50.
(2) The 4[amount] referred to in sub-section (1) shall he
apportioned between the cultivating tenant and the intermediary
concerned in the manner specified in Schedule IV.
1. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(viii)(a),
ibid.
2. Substituted for the word "compensation" by, ibid.
3. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(viii)(b)(B),
ibid.
4. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(viii)(c),
ibid.
55. Mode of payment of amount :-

Mode of payment of 1[amount]

(1) 2[The amount payable under section 50] as finally determined
under this Act shall, within such period as may be prescribed, be
paid either in cash or in bonds or partly in cash and partly in bonds
as the Government may deem fit.
(2) The bonds shall be issued on such terms and carry such rate of
interest as may be prescribed. The interest shall be paid--
(i) in the case of any land held by any person referred to in clause
(a) or (b) of sub-section (5) of section 18 with effect from the date
of the publication of the notification under sub-section (1) of
section 18; and
(ii) in any other case, with effect from the date of taking possession
of the land under sub-section (4) of section 18.
1. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(ix)(a),
ibid,
2. Substituted for the expression "The amount of compensation" by
sections 5(ix)(b), ibid.
C H A P T E R 7 SURVEY AND SETTLEMENT OFLAND IN THE
TRANSFERRED TERRITORY
56. Survey of lands in the transferred territory :-

(1) Every land in the transferred territory or part thereof shall, if

such land or part thereof has not been surveyed in accordance with
t h e provisions contained in the 1[Tamil Nadu] Survey and
Boundaries Act, 1923 (1[Tamil Nadu] Act VIII of 1923), be
surveyed in accordance with the provisions of that Act 2[. . .].
(2) The cost of the survey, except so much as is payable under the
provisions of section 8 of the 1[Tamil Nadu] Survey and Boundaries
Act, 1923 (1[Tamil Nadu] Act VIII of 1923), shall be borne by the
Government.
1. Substituted for the word "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation
of Laws Order, 1969 as amended by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of
Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
2. The words "within a period of three years from the date of the
publication of this Act" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1965.
57. Manner of effecting ryotwari settlement :-

(1) The Settlement Officer shall effect 1[. . .] ryotwari settlement of

every land in the transferred territory or part thereof in accordance
with a settlement notification framed and published by the
Government for the purpose.
(2) The said notification shall embody the principles adopted in
making ryotwari settlements in ryotwari areas, and shall adopt--
(a) the rates of assessment set out in the settlement notification in
force on such date and in such district as may be specified by the
Government;
(b) if more than one such notification is in force in that district, the
rates set out in one of those notifications which the Government
consider to be the most appropriate to the case.
(3) Neither the settlement notification not any order passed in
pursuance thereof shall be liable to be questioned in any Court of
law.
(4) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that nothing in
this section shall be construed to be in derogation of any law
relating to the levy of tax on land in force in the transferred
territory.
1. The words "within a period of three years from the date of the
publication of this Act" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1965.
58. Appointment and functions of Settlement Officer :-

(1) As soon as may be, after the date of the publication of this Act,
the Government shall appoint one or more Settlement Officers to
carry out the functions and duties assigned to them by or under
this Chapter.
( 2 ) Every Settlement Officer shall be subordinate to the Land
Commissioner and shall be guided by such lawful instructions as he
may issue, from time to time, and the Land Commissioner shall also
have power to cancel or revise any of the orders, acts or
proceedings of the Settlement Officer.
58A. Ryotwari settlement to be effected under Tamil Nadu
Act 30 of 1964 in certain cases :-

Ryotwari settlement to be effected under 2[Tamil Nadu Act] 30 of

1964 in certain cases
1 (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, the
provisions of sections 56 to 58 shall cease to apply to every land in
the transferred territory (other than the Sreepadam land belonging
to the Sreepadam Palace) and in respect of such land survey shall
be made and ryotwari settlement shall be effected in accordance
with the provisions of the 3[Tamil Nadu] (Transferred Territory)
Ryotwari Settlement Act, 1964 (3[Tamil Nadu] Act 30 of 1964) and
for the purposes of this Act such survey and settlement shall be
deemed to be made and effected under this Chapter.
(2) The provisions of sections 56 to 58 shall continue to apply to
the Sreepadam land belonging to the Sreepadam Place.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1965.
2. Substituted for the word "Madras Act" by paragraph 3 of the
Tamil Nadu Adaptation of Laws Order, 1970.
3. Substituted for the expression "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu
Adaptation of laws order, 1965 as amended by the Tamil Nadu
Adaptation of laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
CHAPTER 8 Cultivating tenants ceiling area
59. OMITTED :-

1[Omitted by section 3 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of

Ceiling on Land) Act 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1972).]
1. The provision of the Chapter are made permanents by Tamil
Nadu Act 10 of 1972.

60. Definition of cultivating tenants ceiling area :-

In this Chapter, "cultivating tenants ceiling area" means 5 standard

acres held by any person partly as cultivating tenant and partly as
owner or wholly as cultivating tenant.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this Chapter, "cultivating tenant"
includes any tenant who is in actual possession of land, but does
not contribute his own physical labour or that of any member of his
family in the cultivation of such land.
60A. Certain definitions for the purposes of this Chapter :-

1 In the Chapter, "date of the publication of this Act" and "notified

date" shall, respectively, mean "the 2nd May 1962" and "the 2nd
October 1962".
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970 which was deemed to
have come into force on the 15th February 1970.

61. Person holding land as cultivating tenant to furnish

return in certain cases :-

(1) Every cultivating tenant who hold on the notified date land in
excess of the cultivating tenants ceiling area shall, within ninety
days from the said date, furnishing to the authorised officer a
return containing the following particulars, namely:--
(i) particulars of the land, if any, which he holds as owner;
(ii) particulars of the land which he holds as cultivating tenant;
(iii) particulars of the name and address of the landowner
concerned; and
(iv) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
1Explanation.-- In the case of a member of the Armed Forces, the
return under sub-section (1) shall be furnished within six months
after the Proclamation of Emergency has ceased to operate.
(2) If any cultivating tenant who has held land in excess of the
cultivating tenants ceiling area, fails to furnish the return under
sub-section (1) or furnishes an incorrect or incomplete return under
that sub-section, the authorised officer may, by notice, require such
cultivating tenant to furnish the return or the additional particulars,
as the case may be, within the time specified in the notice or within
such further time not exceeding thirty days as the authorised
officer may, in his discretion, allow.
(3) (a) Where any cultivating tenant on whom notice under sub-
section (2) has been served fails to furnish the return or the
additional particulars, as the case may be, within the time specified
in that notice or within the further time if any allowed by the
authorised officer under sub-section (2), the authorised officer may
obtain in such manner as may be prescribed the necessary
information either by himself or through such agency as he thinks
fit.
(b) The authorised officer shall, as soon as may be after obtaining
the information under clause (a), give to the cultivating tenant
concerned a reasonable opportunity of making his representation
and of adducing evidence, if any, in respect of such information and
consider any such representation and evidence and pass such
orders as he deems fit.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 9 of 1965.

62. Authorised officer to take possession of land in excess

of the cultivating tenants ceiling area :-

On the basis of the return furnished under sub-section (1) of

section 61 or on the basis of the return furnished under sub-section
(2) of that section, and the additional particulars, if any, furnished
under that sub-section, or on the basis of the information obtained
by the authorised officer under clause (a) of sub-section 61, and
the orders passed on the representation and the evidence, if any,
under clause (b) of sub-section (3) of that section, the authorised
officer shall, subject to such rules as may be made in his behalf and
subject to the rights of the owner of the land, take possession on
behalf of the Government, of the land held by the person as
cultivating tenant and in excess of the cultivating tenants ceiling
area:
Provided that the authorised officer shall not take possession of
such land unless he has given a reasonable opportunity of being
heard to the land owner and the cultivating tenant concerned:
Provided further that The authorised officer shall give in such
manner as may be prescribed, not less than three months notice in
writing intimating the cultivating tenant of his decision to take
possession of the land and the notice shall expire with the end of
the agricultural year in which such notice is given:
1Provided further that the authorised officer may, for reasons to be
recorded in writing, permit the possession of the land held by the
person as cultivating tenant and in excess of the cultivating tenants
ceiling area, if the total extent of such excess land does not exceed
half an acre in the case of wet land and one acre in the case of dry
land, irrespective of the assessment of such land:
Provided also that where there is any crop standing on such land on
the date of the expiry of the notice aforesaid, the authorised officer
may postpone taking possession of the land and permit the harvest
of such crop by the person who had raised such crop.
2Explanation.--Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, for
the purpose of the third proviso, "acre" means ordinary acre.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972, which was deemed to
have come into force on the 1st March 1972.
2. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 36 of 1998.
63. Liability of the Government to pay rent :-

(1) With effect on and from the date on which the authorised
officer takes possession of the land under section 62, Government
shall be deemed to be the tenant of the owner of the land.
(2) In respect of the land referred to in sub-section (1), the
Government shall be liable to pay annually to the owner of such
land fair rent as calculated in the manner specified in paragraph 4
of Part I of Schedule III. Such rent shall be paid in cash or in kind
in accordance with such rules as may be made by the Government.
(3) If any dispute arises in regard to the rent payable under sub-
section (2), either party may make an application to the Land
Tribunal within whose jurisdiction the land referred to in sub-
section (1) or the major part thereof is situated for deciding such
dispute.
64. Authorised officer to distribute possession of land :-

(1) The authorised officer shall distribute possession of the land,

t h e possession of which he has taken under section 62, to the
landless persons or to persons holding land below the cultivating
tenants ceiling area.
(2) The distribution under sub-section (1) shall be in accordance
with such rules and subject to such conditions as may be
prescribed. Such rules may also provide for the manner of recovery
o f any amount due to the Government from, and the manner of
evicting, the person to whom such distribution is made.
65. Authorised officer empowered to summarily dispossess
persons in certain cases :-

The authorised officer may summarily dispossess--

(i) any person to whom any land has been distributed under section
64, if such person fails to comply with the conditions subject to
which the distribution was made, or contravenes any rule made
under this Chapter;
(ii) any other person occupying such land except in accordance with
the provisions of this Chapter or the rules made thereunder.
66. Amount payable to tenants in certain cases :-

1[Amount payable] to tenants in certain cases

(1) Where, in respect of any land the possession of which has been
taken by the authorised officer under section 62, the contract of
tenancy provides for the continuance of the tenancy after the
expiry of the agricultural year immediately succeeding the date of
taking such possession, the Government shall pay to the tenant
2[an amount] as provided in sub-section (2).
(2) The 3[amount] payable to any tenant under sub-section (1)
shall be one-eighth of 4[the annual value of the land calculated in
the manner specified in Part I of Schedule III]. Out of such
3[amount], three-fourths shall be paid to the cultivating tenant and
one-fourth to the intermediary, if any.
(3) If any dispute arises in regard to the amount 5[. . .] payable
under sub-section (2) either party may make an application to the
Land Tribunal within whose jurisdiction the land or the major part
thereof is situated for deciding such dispute.
1. Substituted for the word "compensation" by Tamil Nadu Act 11
of 1979, which was deemed to have come into force on the 20th
April 1972.
2. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(x)(b), ibid.
3. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(x)(c), ibid.
4. Substituted for the expression "the fair rent for the land
calculated in the manner specified in paragraph 4 of Part I of
Schedule III" by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979 which was deemed to
have come into force on the 27th October 1978.
5. The words "of compensation" were omitted by section 5(x)(d),
ibid.
67. Certain claims for arrears of rent not to be enforced
against Government :-

No claim of any person to any arrear of rent or any other amount

accrued or due in respect of any land for the period prior to the
date of taking possession of such land under section 62 shall be
enforced by any Court whether in execution of a decree or
otherwise against the Government or against any person holding
the land under the Government.
68. Landowners right to resume under Tamil Nadu Act XXV
of 1955 not affected :-

Landowners right to resume under 1[Tamil Nadu Act] XXV of 1955

not affected
Nothing contained in this Chapter shall be deemed to affect the
right of any land owner under t h e 2[Tamil Nadu] Cultivating
Tenants Protection Act, 1955, (2[Tamil Nadu] Act XXV of 1995), to
resume possession for purpose of personal cultivation of the land
the possession of which has been taken by the authorised officer
under this Chapter and for the purposes of such resumption the
Government shall be deemed to be the cultivating tenant in respect
of the land aforesaid.
1. Substituted for the word "Madras Act" by paragraph 3(2) of the
Tamil Nadu Adaptation of Laws Order, 1970.
2. Substituted for the word "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation
of Laws Order, 1969, as amended by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of
Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
69. Furnishing of return on acquisition by lease of any land
69. Furnishing of return on acquisition by lease of any land
in excess of cultivating tenants ceiling area :-

(1) If, on or after the notified date, any person acquires by lease
any land which together with the land, if any, already held by him,
exceeds in the aggregate the cultivating tenants ceiling area, he
shall, within ninety days of such acquisition, furnish to the
authorised officer within whose jurisdiction the land or the major
part thereof is situated, a return containing such particulars as may
be prescribed.
( 2 ) If he furnishes the return or fails to furnish the return or
furnishes an incorrect or incomplete return, within the period
specified in sub-section (1), the provisions of sub-sections (2) and
(3) of section 61 and other provisions of this Chapter shall, as far
as may be, apply as if it were a return required to be furnished
under sub-section (1) of section 61.
70. Removal of doubts :-

For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that nothing in this

Chapter shall apply to any land held by any sugar factory as
tenant.
71. Effect of certain Acts :-

The provisions of the 1[Tamil Nadu] Cultivating Tenants Protection

Act, 1955 (1[Tamil Nadu Act XXV of 1955), the 1[Tamil Nadu]
Cultivating Tenants (Payment of Fair Rent) Act, 1956 ( 1[Tamil
Nadu] Act XXIV of 1956), the Tiruchirappalli Kaiaeruvaram and
Mattuvaram Act, 1958 (1[Tamil Nadu] Act XXXVI of 1958) and any
other law relating to tenancy shall, except in so far as they are
inconsistent with any of the provision of this Chapter, continue in
force.
1. Substituted for the word "Madras" by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation
of Laws Order, 1969, as amended by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of
Laws (Second Amendment) Order, 1969.
72. Provisions of this Chapter to override other provisions :-

T he provisions of this Chapter shall, subject to the provisions of

sect ion 17, have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent
therewith contained in any other provision of this Act.
CHAPTER 9 Exemptions
73. Exemptions :-

Except as otherwise provided in sub-sections (2) and (3) of section

5 and in section 6, nothing contained in this Act shall apply to--
(i) any land held by the Central Government or any State
Government or any local authority;
1(ii) any land held by any University constituted by any law;
2(iii) any land assigned by the Government to and held by, any
Land Colonisation Co-operative Society;
3(iv) any land in respect of which the Government have granted
permission to any industrial or commercial undertaking under
section 37-B and such permission continues in force:
Provided that such land shall be exempt only so long as the
conditions, if any, specified by the Government are complied with;
[Clause (v) was omitted by section 3(11)(b) of the Tamil Nadu
Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Second Amendment Act,
1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972), which was deemed to have
come into force on the 1st March 1972).]
(vi) all plantations in existence 4[on the date of the commencement
of this Act]:
5Provided that such plantations shall be exempt only so long as
they continue to be plantations;
(vii) lands converted on or before the 1st day of July 1959 into
orchards or topes or arecanut gardens, whether or not such lands
are contiguous or scattered:
Provided that such land shall be exempt only so long as they
continue to be orchards, topes or arecanut gardens;
(viii) any land used exclusively for growing fuel trees 6[on the 6th
day of April 1960];
Provided that such land shall be exempt only so long as such land
is used for such purpose;
(ix) Gramdan land and land donated for purposes of the Bhoodan
Yagna;
(x) [Omitted by section 3(14) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Fourth Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil
Nadu Act 39 of 1972)]
(xi) any land-
(a) interspersed among plantations, or
(b) contiguous to any plantation,
in existence 7[on the date of the commencement of this Act] in any
area 8[ . . .] and in respect of which the Land Board has granted
permission under section 31 and such permission continues in
force;
(xii) any land awarded for gallantry to defence personnel.
Provided that such land shall be exempt only for the lifetime of the
person to whom the award was granted.
(xiii) [Omitted by section 3(10) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971)]
1. Substituted for the original clause (ii) by Tamil Nadu Act 37 of
1972, which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March
1972.
2. Substituted for the original clause (iii) by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of
1974 which was deemed to have come into force on the 6th April
1960.
3. Substituted for the original clause (iv) by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of
1972, which was deemed to have come into force on the 1st March
1972.
4. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 30 of 1974, which was deemed to
have come into force on the 6th April 1960, for the expression "on
6th day of April 1960", which in turn was substituted for the
expression "on the date of the commencement of this Act" by
section 3(3) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on
Land) Fifth Amendment Act 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1974),
which was deemed to have come into force on the 6th April 1960.
5. Proviso was added by Tamil Nadu Act 21 of 1975 which was
deemed to have come into force on the 6th April 1960.
6. Substituted for the words "on the date of the commencement of
this Act" by Tamil Nadu Act 10 of 1974 which was deemed to have
come into force on the 6th April 1960.
7. These words were re-substituted for the words, "6th day of April
1960" by section 3(3) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of
Ceiling on Land) Fifth Amendment Act, 1972 Tamil Nadu Act 10 of
1974.
8. The words "other than a hill area" were omitted by section 3(11)
(c) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land)
Second Amendment Act, 1972 Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972.
74. xxx xxx xxx :-

xxx xxx xxx

75. xxx xxx xxx :-
[Omitted by section 3(11) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971 (Tamil Nadu
Act 41 of 1971).]
CHAPTER 10 Land Tribunals
76. Constitution of Land Tribunals :-

(1) The Government shall constitute as many Land Tribunals as

may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Each Land Tribunal shall consist of one person only who shall be
1[. . .] 2[an officer not below the rank of District Revenue Officer.]

1. Omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 3 of 1984.

2. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979, which was deemed to
come into force on the 27th October 1978.
76A. Transfer of appeals from one Land Tribunal to another
:-

1 (1) The Land Commissioner may, either suo motu or on

application, for reasons to be recorded in writing, transfer an
appeal pending before a Land Tribunal to another Land Tribunal.
(2) The Land Commissioner may, when exercising the powers under
sub-section (1), direct the stay of further proceedings before a
Land Tribunal.
(3) No order under this section adversely affecting a person shall be
possessed unless that person has had a reasonable opportunity of
being heard.
1. Inserted by section 7(5), ibid.

77. Jurisdiction and powers of Land Tribunals :-

(1) Each Land Tribunal shall have such jurisdiction and over such
areas as the Government may, by notification, from time to time,
determine.
(2) If any question is referred by the authorised officer to the Land
Tribunal for its decision under sections 11(2), 16(3)(a)(iv) or 51(3),
the Land Tribunal shall decide such question.
(3) Every Land Tribunal shall have the same powers as are vested
in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act
V of 1908).
CHAPTER 10A Chapter XA
77A. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77B. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77C. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77D. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77E. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77F. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77G. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77H. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77I. OMITTED :-

OMITTED
77J. OMITTED :-

1[Omitted]

1. Chapter X-A (sections 77-A to 77-J) was omitted by Tamil Nadu

Act 26 of 2003.
CHAPTER 11 APPEALS AND REVISION
78. Appeal to Land Tribunal :-

(1) Against any decision of the authorized officer under section 9(2)
(b), 10(3), (4), (5), 16(3)(a)(iii), 20, 22, 50(4), 51(1), (2), 52,
61(3)(b) or 102(2)(b), the Government may, within ninety days
from the date of the decision, and any person aggrieved by such
decision, may, 1[within thirty days] from the date of such decision,
appeal to the Land Tribunal.
(2) The Land Tribunal may admit an appeal presented after the
expiration of the period mentioned in sub-section (1), 2[b ut not
exceeding thirty days], if it is satisfied that the party concerned
had sufficient cause for not presenting it within the said period.
(3) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1), the Land
Tribunal, after giving the parties a reasonable opportunity of being
heard, shall--
(a) determine a case finally;
(b) remand a case;
(c) take additional evidence or require such evidence to be taken
by the authorized officer.
1. Substituted for the words "within sixty days" by Tamil Nadu Act
39 of 1972.
2. Inserted by section 3(15)(b), ibid.
79. Appeal to the High Court :-

Appeal to the 1[High Court]

(1) Against a decision of the Land Tribunal under section 11(3) or
77(2), the Government may, within sixty days from the date of the
decision and any person aggrieved by such decision may, within
thirty days from the date of the decision, appeal to the 1[High
Court]:
Provided that the 1[H igh Court] may admit an appeal presented
after the expiration of the said period if it is satisfied that the party
concerned had sufficient cause for not presenting it within the said
period.
(2) The 1[ H i g h Court], after giving the parties a reasonable
opportunity of being heard, shall--
(a) determine a case finally;
(b) remand a case;
(c) take additional evidence or require such evidence to be taken
by the Land Tribunal.
Explanation--In this section and in section 78, "date of the
decision" means the date on which such decision is communicated
to the party concerned.
1. Substituted for the words "Special Appellate Tribunal" by Tamil
Nadu Act 26 of 2003.
80. Limitation Act to apply to appeal under section 78 or 79
:-

The provisions of section 4 and of sub-section (1) and (2) of section

1 2 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908 (Central Act IX of 1908)1
shall, as far as may be, apply to any appeal under section 78 or 79.
1. See now the Limitation Act, 1963 (Central Act 36 of 1963).
81. OMITTED :-

1[Omitted].

1. Omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972, w.e.f. 1-3-1972.

82. Revision by the Land Commissioner :-

The Land Commissioner may call for and examine the record of any
authorized officer in respect of any proceeding 1[under sections
9(3), 12, 13, 14(1), 14(2), 17(3), 18(4), 50(5) or 50(9) or the
record of any proceeding under sub-section (2) of section 54] and
in respect of any other proceeding under this Act not being a
proceeding in respect of which a suit or an appeal 2[ . . .] to the
Land Tribunal is provided by this Act to satisfy himself as to the
regularity of such proceeding or the correctness, legality or
propriety of any decision or order passed thereon, and if, in any
case, it appear to the Land Commissioner that any such proceeding,
decision or order should be modified, annulled, reversed or remitted
for reconsideration, he may pass orders accordingly:
Provided that the Land Commissioner shall not pass any order
prejudicial to any party unless he has been given a reasonable
opportunity of being heard.
1. Substituted for the words "under section 9(3), 17(3) or 18(4)"
by, ibid.
2. The words "or revision" were omitted by, ibid.
83. Revision by High Court :-
1 Subject to the provisions of section 79, every Land Tribunal shall
b e deemed to be a Court subordinate to the High Court for the
purpose of section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
(Central Act V of 1908) and its orders shall be liable to revision by
the High Court under the provisions of that section.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2003.

84. Power to stay :-

T h e 1[H igh Court], the Land Tribunal or the Land Commissioner

may stay the execution of any decision or order pending the
exercise of its or his powers under this Chapter.
1. Substituted for the words "Special Appellate Tribunal" by Tamil
Nadu Act 26 of 2003.
CHAPTER 12 Penalties and Procedure
85. Penalty for failure to furnish return :-

(1) If any person who is under an obligation to furnish a return

under this Act, refuses or wilfully fails to furnish the return within
the time specified in the notice under sub-section (1) of section 9
or under sub-section (2) of section 61 or within the further time, if
any, allowed by the authorised officer under those sub-sections, he
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 1[two thousand
rupees].
(2) If any person who, after having been convicted under sub-
section (1), continues to refuse or to wilfully fail to furnish the
return, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to fifty
rupees for each day after the previous date of conviction during
which he continues so to offend.
1. Substituted for the words "two hundred rupees" by Tamil Nadu
Act 4 of 1988.

86. Penalty for failure to furnish information under section

102 :-

I f any person refused or wilfully fails to furnish the information

under sub-section (1) of section 102 within the time specified in
the notice under that sub-section or within the further time, if any,
allowed by the authorized officer under that sub-section, such
person shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 1[two
thousand rupees].
1. Substituted for the words "two hundred rupees" by Tamil Nadu
Act 4 of 1988.

87. Penalty for furnishing false return or information :-

I f any person who is under an obligation to furnish any return or

information under this Act, furnishes any return or information
which he knows or has reason to believe to be false, he shall be
punishable with fine which may extend to 1[two thousand rupees].
1. Substituted for the words "one thousand rupees" by section 2(c),
ibid.

88. Penalty for making false declaration under section 19 :-

I f any person makes any declaration before the registering

authority under sub-section (1) of section 19 which he knows or
has reason to believe to be false, he shall be punishable with fine
not exceeding 1[two thousand rupees].
1. Substituted for the words "one thousand rupees" by section 2(d)
by Tamil Nadu Act 4 of 1988.

88A. Penalty for furnishing return showing land subject to

void transfer or partitions under section 22 as surplus land
:-

1 Where the transfer or partition of any land has been declared to

b e void under section 22, and if any person has in the return
furnished by him under this Act specified such land to be declared
as surplus land of the transferor or of the person effecting the
partition, the person so furnishing the return shall be punishable
with imprisonment which may extend to six months or with fine
which may extend to two thousand rupees or with both.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 7 of 1974.

89. Penalty for acquisition by lease or possessory mortgage

in excess of the ceiling area :-
If any person, on or after the notified date, voluntarily acquires by
lease or possessory mortgage any land which together with the
land, if any, already held by him exceeds in the aggregate the
ceiling area, he shall be punishable with fine not exceeding 1[two
thousand rupees].
1. Substituted for the words "one thousand rupees" by section 2(d)
by Tamil Nadu Act 4 of 1988.

90. Penalty for contravention of any lawful order :-

If any person wilfully contravenes any lawful order passed under

this Act or obstructs any person from lawfully taking possession of
any land under any of the provisions of this Act, he shall be
punishable with fine which may extend to 1[two thousand rupees].
1. Substituted for the words "five hundred rupees" by section 2(f),
ibid.

91. Penalty for cutting trees or for removing any machinery,

etc. :-

I f any person, after the date of vesting in the Government of any

land acquired under this Act and before the disposal of such land
under this Act, cuts or causes to be cut, trees on the land, or
removes or causes to be removed, any building, 1[machinery,
plant, apparatus, wells, filter points or power lines] constructed,
erected or fixed on the land and used for agricultural purposes, or
does or causes to be done any act likely to diminish the utility of
the land, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term
which may extend to one year, or with fine not exceeding 2[two
thousand rupees] or with both.
1. Substituted for the words "machinery, plant, or apparatus" by
section 3(a) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
2. Substituted for the words "one thousand rupees" by section 2(g)
by Tamil Nadu Act 4 of 1988.
92. Offences by companies :-

(1) If the person committing an offence under this Act is a

company, the company as well as every person in charge of, and
responsible, to, the company for the conduct of its business at the
time of the commission of the offence shall be deemed to be guilty
of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and
punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any
such person liable to any punishment if he proves that the offence
was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised ail due
diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where
an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it
is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or
connivance of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of
the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer
shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable
to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.--For the purpose of this section-
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or
other association of individuals, and
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
93. Cognizance of offences :-

(1) No Court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under

this Act except on complaint in writing made by the authorised
officer or any officer empowered by him by special order.
(2) No Court inferior to that of a Presidency Magistrate or a
Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence punishable under
this Act.
CHAPTER 13 Disposal of land acquired by the Government under
this Act
94. Disposal of land acquired by the Government :-

(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), 1[and section 94-

A], the Government may, after taking into consideration the
objects specified in the preamble, make rules providing for the
manner in which any land acquired by the Government under this
Act shall be disposed of.
[Proviso was omitted by section 7(6) of the Tamil Nadu Land
Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1979 (Tamil
Nadu Act 11 of 1979), which was deemed to have come into force
on the 27th October 1978.]
(2) (a) In the disposal of the land acquired by the Government
under this Act, the Government shall give preference to any person
who completely dispossessed of his holding, or whose extent of
holding is reduced below 2[three acres of dry land or one and a half
acres of wet land] held by him partly as cultivating tenant and
partly as owner or wholly as cultivating tenant, by virtue of the
provisions of this Act.
[Clause (b) was omitted by section 3(14)(b) of the Tamil Nadu
Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1971
(Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971).]
3Explanation.--Where a person holds both dry land and wet land,
then, for the purpose of calculating the extent of his holding under
this clause, one acre of wet land shall be deemed to be equal to
two acres of dry land.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
2. Substituted for the words "Three standard acres" by Tamil Nadu
Act 8 of 1980.
3. Added by section 3(ii) of Tamil Nadu Act 8 of 1980.
94A. Rules in respect of surplus land held by sugar factory
and acquired by Government :-

1(1) Where any surplus land acquired by the Government under

this Act was held by any sugar factory immediately before the date
of the acquisition, the Government shall make arrangement for the
cultivation of such land with sugarcane for supply to the sugar
factory concerned.
(2) The Government may make rules in respect of the lands
referred to in sub-section (1) for the cultivation of sugarcane
through a corporation (including a company) owned or controlled
by the State and for such other matters in connection with the
administration of such lands.
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) or sub-
section (2), the Government may, by notification, direct that it is
n o t compulsory, to cultivate sugarcane in any such land as is
referred to in sub-section (1) and on the issue of such notification,
the land concerned may be cultivated either with sugarcane or with
any other crop.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the
Government from making rules under section 94 providing for the
manner of disposal of any surplus land acquired under this Act and
held by any sugar factory immediately before the date of
acquisition and accordingly the Government may make rules under
section 94 providing for the disposal of such land.
1. Sections 94-A, 94-B and 94-C were inserted by Tamil Nadu Act
41 of 1971.

94B. Certain lands to be held as tenant by the corporation

:-

1 (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 17 or any other

provision of this Act or in any other law for the time being in force,
where immediately before the date of the commencement of the
Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment
Act, 1971, any land is held as tenant by any sugar factory under a
contract of tenancy which is subsisting and where such land is
within the ceiling area of the landowner concerned, such land shall
be deemed to be held as tenant by the corporation (including a
company), if any, referred to in sub-section (2) of section 94-A for
the unexpired period of the contract 2[and for a period of 3[eight-
years] after the expiry of such contract and accordingly the said
contract of tenancy shall force and effect against the said
corporation and may be enforced or acted upon as fully and
effectually as if in the place of the sugar factory, the corporation
had been a party thereto 4[and the amount of rent payable under
the contract of tenancy shall be continued to be paid to the land
owner by the corporation]:
5Provided that where the said corporation is of opinion that any
land held by it under any such contract of tenancy, is no longer
required for the purpose of that corporation, then, the said
corporation may terminate such contract of tenancy in respect of
such land, and release such land to the landowner concerned.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall apply to any land referred to in sub-
section (1) only so long as such land is deemed to be held as
tenant by the corporation (including a company) under sub-section
(1).
1. Sections 94-A, 94-B and 94-C were inserted by Tamil Nadu Act
41 of 1971.
2. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1975.
3. Substituted for the words "seven years" by Tamil Nadu Act 59 of
1981 and the words "seven years" words were substituted for the
words "five years" by section 2 of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms
(Fixation of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1980 Tamil Nadu Act
21 of 1980.
4. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1975.
5. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 59 of 1981.
94C. Exemption in respect of land held by sugar factory for
research purposes :-

1 Except as otherwise provided in sub-sections (2) and (3) of

section 5 and in section 6, nothing contained in this Act shall apply
to any extent of land not exceeding 100 standard acres held by a
sugar factory solely for research and seed farm purposes.
(2) The question whether any land is held solely for research and
seed farm purposes shall be decided by the Government.
1. Sections 94-A, 94-B and 94-C were inserted by Tamil Nadu Act
41 of 1971.

CHAPTER 14 Miscellaneous
95. Conversion of one kind of land into another not to affect
ceiling area in certain cases :-

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where on account

of any improvements made in the land by or at the cost of the
person holding such land, one kind of lands specified in clause (40)
of section 3 is converted into another kind of the lands specified in
the said clause after the date of the publication of the final
statement under section 12 or 14, such conversion shall not be
taken into account in calculating the extent of land held by such
person. But, where such conversion takes place as a result of any
irrigation project constructed at the cost of the Government, the
land so converted shall be reduced to standard acres according to
the proportion specified in the clause aforesaid, and the ceiling area
of such person shall be fixed in accordance with the provisions of
this Act.
96. Decrease in number of members of family not to affect
ceiling area :-

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the extent of

ceiling area which a family is entitled to hold under the provisions
of this Act, immediately after the date of the publication of the final
statement under section 12 or 14, shall not be reduced by reason
only of any decrease after the said date in the number of members
on such family:
1Provided that nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to
affect the refixation of the ceiling area under the Tamil Nadu Land
Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970 (Tamil Nadu Act
17 of 1970).
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 17 of 1970, which was deemed to
have come into force on the 15th February 1970.
97. Appointment of Land Commissioner :-

The Government may appoint any 1member of the Board of

Revenue as Land Commissioner for the State to exercise such
powers and discharge such duties as are assigned to him by or
under this Act.
1. By virtue of section 10(1) of the Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue
Abolition Act, 1980 (Tamil Nadu Act 36 of 1980), any reference to
the Member of the Board of Revenue shall be deemed to be a
reference to the Appropriate Authority specified in the notification
under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the said Act.
98. OMITTED :-

[Omitted by section 3(j) of the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Fixation

of Ceiling on Land) Amendment Act, 1983 (Tamil Nadu Act 3 of
1984).]
99. Transfer of proceedings from one authorized officer to
another :-

(1) On the application of any of the parties or of his own motion--

(a) the Collector of the district may, at any stage after giving the
parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard, transfer any
application or other proceeding under this Act pending before any
authorized officer in the district for disposal to any other authorized
officer in the same district.
(b) the Land Commissioner may, at any stage after giving the
parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard, transfer any
application or other proceeding under this Act pending before any
other authorized officer in any other district.
( 2 ) Where any application or proceeding has been transferred
under sub-section (1), the authorized officer to whom such transfer
is made may, subject to any special directions given in the order of
transfer, either hold the inquiry de novo or proceed from the stage
at which the said application or other proceeding stood when it was
transferred.
100. Returns and reports :-

The authorized officer, 1[ t h e Land Commissioner or the Land

Board] shall furnish to the Government such returns, statistics,
accounts and other information as the Government may, from time
to time require.
1. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.

101. Authorised officer empowered to obtain information

from Court, etc. :-

The authorized officer may obtain from any Court, Land Board, 1[. .
.] Land Tribunal or other authority any information relating to any
proceeding pending before the authorized officer, and such Court,
Land Board, 2[. .] Land Tribunal or authority, as the case may be,
shall, if such information be available with it, furnish him with such
information within a reasonable period.
1. These words "Sugar Factory Board" were omitted by section
3(18), ibid.
2. These words "Sugar Factory Board" were omitted by section
3(18), of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
102. Authorized officer empowered to obtain information
from persons :-

(1) For the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act,
the authorized officer may, by notice, require any person to furnish
any information relating to the extent of land held by such person,
the number of members of the family, if any, of such person, and
such other particulars as may be prescribed. The person aforesaid
shall furnish the information to the authorized officer within such
time as may be specified in the notice or within such further time
n o t exceeding thirty days as the authorized officer may, in his
discretion, allow.
(2) (a) Where any person on whom notice under sub-section (1)
has been served fails to furnish the information within the time
specified in that notice or within the further time allowed by the
authorized officer under sub-section (1), the authorized officer may
obtain, in such manner as may be prescribed, the necessary
information either by himself or through such agency as he thinks
fit.
(b) The authorized officer shall, as soon as may be after obtaining
the information under clause (a), give to the person concerned a
reasonable opportunity of making his representation and of
adducing evidence, if any, in respect of such information and
consider any such representation and evidence and pass such
orders as he deems fit.
103. Costs :-

The costs of, and incidental to, all proceedings before the
authorized officer, Land Commissioner, Land Board, 1[. . .] Land
Tribunal or other authority shall be in his or its discretion.
1. These words "Sugar Factory Broad" were omitted by section
3(18), ibid.

104. Power to enter upon land :-

The authorized officer or any person acting under his orders may,
at any time, enter upon any land, but not a dwelling house, with
such other officers or persons as he considers necessary and make
a survey and take measurements thereof or do any other act which
he considers necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
105. Indemnity :-

(1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against

the authorized officer, Land Board, 1[ . . . ] Land Commissioner,
Land Tribunal 2[ . . .] or other authority for anything which is in
good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or
any rule or order made thereunder.
(2) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against the
Government for any damage caused or likely to be caused by virtue
of any provision of this Act or by anything which is in good faith
done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or
order made thereunder.
1. These words "Sugar Factory Board" were omitted by section
3(20) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
2. Substituted for the words "High Court" by Tamil Nadu Act 3 of
1984 and the words "Land Tribunal, Special Appellate Tribunal"
were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2003.
106. Preparation of record of rights :-

The Government may, for the purpose of this Act, cause to be

prepared and published a record of rights in accordance with such
rules as may be made by them.
107. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Courts :-

1 Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no Civil Court shall have

jurisdiction to decide or deal with any question which is by or under
this Act required to be decided or dealt with by the authorised
officer, Land Board, the Land Commissioner, the Land Tribunal or
other authority.
1. Inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 26 of 2003.

108. Court fees :-

The Court-fee payable in respect of--

( a ) any suit under sub-section (3) of section 11, shall be 1[one
hundred rupees];
(b) any appeal to the Land Tribunal under section 78, shall be
1[one hundred rupees];
( c ) any appeal to the 2[High Court] under section 79, shall be
1[one hundred rupees];
(d) any application for revision by the Land Commissioner under
section 82, shall be 1[one hundred rupees];
(e) any application for revision by the 2[High Court] under section
83 shall be 1[one hundred rupees];
(f) any other case, shall be such fee as may be prescribed.
1. Substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 7 of 1999, w.e.f. 1-4-1999.
2. Substituted for the words "Special Appellate Tribunal" by Tamil
Nadu Act 26 of 2003.

109. Delegation of powers :-

The Government may, by notification, direct that any power
exercisable by the Land Commissioner or any authorized officer
under this Act or the rules made thereunder, shall in relation to
such matters and subject to such conditions, as may be specified in
such notification, be exercisable also by such officer or authority
subordinate to the Government, as may be specified in the
notification.
110. Power to make rules :-

(1) The Government may make rules to carry out the purposes of
this Act.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing power, such rules may provide for--
(a) all matters expressly required or allowed by this Act to be
prescribed;
(b) the manner of service of notice under this Act;
(c) the manner of giving reasonable opportunity or of adducing
evidence under this Act;
(d) 1[Omitted]
(e) the place at which and the manner in which the draft statement
under sub-section (5) of section 10 and the final statement under
section 12 or 14 may be published;
(f) the manner of service of a copy of the final statement under
section 12 or 14;
(g) the manner of publication of a proclamation under clause (a) of
subsection (2) of section 18;
(h) the qualifications which shall be possessed by the members
nominated under clause (d) of sub-section (2) of section 24;
(i) the manner in which the draft 2[. . .] assessment roll may be
published under sub-section (3) of section 50;
(j) the manner of apportionment of the 3[amount] payable under
this Act among the persons claiming interest in such 3[amount];
(k) the procedure to be followed by the authorized officer under
this Act;
( l ) the terms and conditions of service of the Chairman and
members of the Land Board 4[. . . ];
(m) the manner in which, and the officer by whom fair rent shall be
ascertained for the purposes of this Act;
(n) the circumstances under, and the conditions subject to which,
and the authority or officer before whom any amount 5[. . . ]
payable under this Act may be kept in deposit;
(o) the manner of payment of the amount 5[ . . ] so deposited to
the persons entitled thereto; and
(p) the manner of communicating to the party concerned every
decision or order in any proceeding against which an appeal or
revision is provided for by this Act.
6(q) the period within which an application for revision under
section 82 may be presented.
1. Omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 39 of 1972.
2. The word "compensation" was omitted by section 5(xi)(a) of
Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
3. This word was substituted for the word "Compensation" by
section 5(xi)(b), ibid.
4. The words "and of the Sugar Factory Board" were omitted by
section 3(22) of Tamil Nadu Act 41 of 1971.
5. The words "of compensation" were omitted by section 5(xi)(c) of
Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
6. Inserted by section 2 of Tamil Nadu Act 8 of 1979.
111. OMITTED :-

[Omitted by section 3(12) of Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972, which was

deemed to have come into force on the 1st March 1972.]
112. Rules to be placed before the Legislature :-

Rules 1[...] to be placed before the Legislature

(1) All rules made under this Act 2[. . .] 3[. . .] shall be published
in the Fort St. George Gazette and, unless they are expressed to
come into force on a particular day, shall come into force on the
day on which they are so published.
(2) Every rule made under this Act 2[. . ] 4[. . .] shall, as soon as
possible after it is made, be placed on the table of 5[the Legislative
Assembly] and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so
placed or the next session, 5[the Legislative Assembly agrees] in
making any modification in any such rule 6[ . . .] or the
7[Legislative Assembly agrees] that the rule 6[. . .] should not be
made, the rule 6[. . .] shall, thereafter, have effect, only in such
modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be, so however,
that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice
to the validity of anything previously done under that rule 6[. . .].
1. The words "and orders" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of
1972.
2. The expression "other than those made under section 94" was
omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
3. The words and figures "and all orders made under section III"
were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972.
4. These words and figures "and every order made under section
III" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972.
5. Substituted by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of Laws Order, 1987,
6. These words "or order" were omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 20 of
1972.
7. Substituted by the Tamil Nadu Adaptation of Laws Order, 1987,
SCHEDULE 1
Schedule I
SCHEDULE I
[Schedule I was omitted by section 3(14) of the Tamil Nadu land Reforms (Fixation
of ceiling on Land) Second Amendment Act, 1972 (Tamil Nadu Act 20 of 1972)]
SCHEDULE 2
Schedule II
Schedule II
[See section 3(27)]

Sl. District Taluk Revenue No. and name of Extent of the lease
No. village hold
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
1. Chingleput Saidapet 13. Grant Lyor Whole village
2. Do. Ponneri 143. Karadiputhur Do.
3. Do. Do. 147. Kannankottai Do.
4. Do. Do. 150. Thervoy Do-
5. Do. Do. 151. Kandigai Do.
6. Do. Do. 180. Pappakuppam alias Do.
Alamelumangapuram
7. 1[Chennai] -- 121. Ikkattutangal Do.
8. Salem Harur 317. Hunisanahalli Do.
9. Do. Do. 318. Sillarahalli Do.
10. Do. Do. 321. Regadahali Do.
11. Do. Do. 322. Motankurichi Do.
1. Substituted for word "Madras" by Tamil Nadu Act 28 of 1996.
SCHEDULE 3
Schedule III
SCHEDULE III
(See section 50)
1 [PART I]
(Land other than the land specified in Part II)
1. The amount payable to any, person under section 50 in respect of any land other
than the land specified in Part II acquired by the Government under this Act shall
be determined in the manner hereinafter in this Part specified.
Explanation.-- For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that for the purpose
of determining the amount under this Part, all lands acquired from a person by the
Government under this Act shall be treated as a unit.
2. The annual value of the land shall be determined in the first instance.
3. The annual value of the land shall be,--
(i) in the case of registered wet, dry or manavari land (other than dry or manavari
land irrigated by direct flow or lift from any Government or private source of
irrigation), twenty times the land revenue on the land;
(ii) in the case of dry or manavari land irrigated from any Government source of
irrigation,--
(a) receiving supply by direct flow of water for two or more crops, twenty times
the aggregate of,--
(A) the land revenue on the land; and
(B) rupees nine per acre;
(b) by lift for one or more crops or receiving supply for only one crop by direct flow
of water, twenty times the aggregate of,--
(A) the land revenue on the land; and
(B) rupees five per acre;
(iii) in the case of dry or manavari land irrigated from private source of irrigation
owned by any person in his own land, twenty times the aggregate of,--
(A) the land revenue on the land; and
(B) rupees five per acre;
(iv) in the case of waste land, five time the land revenue on the land.
Explanation.--In this Part, "waste land" shall mean the land remaining uncultivated
for a period of five years immediately preceding the date of the publication of the
notification under sub-section (1) of section 18;
(v) in the case of forest land, five times the land revenue on the land.
Explanation.--Forest land for the purposes of this Part,--
(i) shall include any land containing predominantly trees or shrubs or any
vegetation of natural growth and such land shall be treated as forest land only,
notwithstanding the existence the stray trees, if any, grown therein by human
effort; and
(ii) shall not include any waste land containing trees or shrubs:
Provided that the annual value determined under items (i) to (v) of this paragraph
shall, in no case, exceed Rs. 350 per acre.
Explanation.--In this paragraph and in paragraph 6, land revenue shall in respect
of any land have the same meaning as in Explanation I to section 3(40) and shall
not include cess, surcharge, additional and special assessment charge for water, or
any other levy on land.
4. The amount payable for the land other than forest land acquired by the
Government under this Act shall be determined in accordance with the following
scale, namely:--
(i) for the first sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land, ten times such sum or portion;
(ii) for the next sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land, nine times such sum or portion;
(iii) for the next sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land, eight times such sum or portion;
(iv) for the next sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land, seven times such sum or portion;
(v) for the next sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land, six times such sum or portion;
(vi) for the balance of the annual value of the land, five times such balance.
5. The amount payable for trees on land other than forest land shall be the value of
such trees on the date of the publication of the notification under subsection (1) of
section 18 subject to the maximum specified below:--
(i) in the case of trees grown by human effort other than fruit bearing trees, Rs.
1,000 per acre;
(ii) in the case of--
(a) orchards;
(b) plantation crops; or
(c) fruit bearing trees, grown by human effort, Rs. 3,500 per acre;
(iii) in the case of stray trees of spontaneous growth, Rs. 250 per acre:
Provided that the total amount payable for trees under clauses (i) to (iii) shall not
exceed Rs. 3,500 per acre.
6. The amount payable for the forest land including the trees on such land acquired
by the Government under this Act shall be determined in accordance with the
following scale, namely:--
(i) for the first sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land together with the annual value of the trees, ten times such sum or portion;
(ii) for the next sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof the annual value of the
land together with the annual value of the trees, nine times such sum or portion;
(iii) for the first sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land together with the annual value of the trees, eight times such sum or portion;
(iv) for the first sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land together with the annual value of the trees, seven times such sum or portion;
(v) for the first sum of Rs. 3,000 or any portion thereof of the annual value of the
land together with the annual value of the trees, six times such sum or portion;
(vi) for the balance of the annual value of the land together with the annual value
of the trees, five times such sum or portion.
Explanation.--In this paragraph, the annual value of the trees shall mean forty
times the land revenue on forest land:
Provided that notwithstanding anything contained in paragraph 4, where the lands
acquired from a person by the Government under this Act include forest land and
other land, the annual value of all such lands and the annual value of the trees on
forest land shall be added together and the amount payable for such lands
including the trees on such forest land, shall be determined in accordance with the
scales specified in clauses (i) to (iv) of this paragraph, subject to the modification
that the expression "the annual value of the land together with the annual value of
the trees" shall be construed as "the annual value of the forest land and other land
together with the annual value of the trees" on forest land.
7. The amount payable for any building, machinery, plant, apparatus, wells, filter
points or power lines acquired under this Act shall be the written down value
[determined in accordance with the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(Central Act 43 of 1961)] of such building, machinery, plant, apparatus, wells, filter
points or power lines, on the date of the publication of the notification under sub-
section (1) of section 18.
8. The amount payable under this Part shall be the aggregate of the amount as
calculated under,--
"(i) paragraphs 4, 5 and 7, in the case where land acquired is the land other than
the forest land;
(ii) paragraphs 6 and 7, in the case where land acquired is forest land;
(iii) paragraphs 6, 5 and 7, in the case where lands acquired include forest land and
other land as is referred to in the proviso to paragraph 6, less the amount payable
under section 54 to a tenant, in respect of the land concerned.
9. (a) In respect of any land in the transferred territory, 75 per cent of the amount
2 [. . .] calculated under this Part shall be payable in advance of the completion of

the survey and ryotwari settlement of the land 3[made and effected, or deemed to
be made and effected, under Chapter VI].
PART II
Land revenue of which or portion thereof has been assigned
Where the amount of land revenue or portion thereof in respect of any land
acquired by the Government under this Act has been assigned in favour of any
person, the Government shall pay such person 2[. . .] twelve times the difference
between such amount of land revenue or portion thereof and the proportionate
quit-rent, jodi, kattubadi or other amount of like nature, if any, payable by such
person to the Government.

1. Part I to Schedule III was substituted by Tamil Nadu Act 11 of

1979.
2. These words "as compensation" was omitted by section 5(xiii)
Tamil Nadu Act 11 of 1979.
3. These words were substituted by section 5(xiii)(b), ibid.
SCHEDULE 4
Schedule IV
SCHEDULE IV
(See section 54)
1. The 1[amount] payable to any tenant under section 54 shall be one-eighth of
2 [the annual value for the land calculated in the manner specified in Part I of
Schedule III].
2. Out of the 3[amount referred to in paragraph 1], three-fourths shall be paid to
the cultivating tenant and one-fourth to the intermediary, if any.

1. Substituted for the word "compensation" by section 5(xiii)(a),

ibid.
2. Substituted for the expressions "the fair rent for the land
calculated in the manner specified in paragraph 4 of Part I of
Schedule III" by section 7(9), ibid.
3. Substituted "compensation" by section 5(xiii)(b), ibid.
SCHEDULE 5
SCHEDULE V
SCHEDULE V
1 [Omitted]

1. This Schedule was omitted by Tamil Nadu Act 3 of 1984.