TLDR;
This YouTube video by Target with Ankit TWA provides a detailed overview of the revenue system in Uttar Pradesh (UP), India, focusing on its structure, key regulations, and recent initiatives. It covers the historical context of land revenue acts, the establishment and divisions of the Revenue Council, and the roles of various officials in the revenue administration. The video also discusses important concepts such as चकबंदी (consolidation of land holdings), land ceiling acts, and the digitization of land records. Additionally, it touches upon government schemes aimed at empowering farmers and modernizing the revenue system.
- Historical context and key regulations of the revenue system in Uttar Pradesh.
- Structure and functions of the Revenue Council and the roles of various revenue officials.
- Important concepts like चकबंदी (consolidation of land holdings) and land ceiling acts.
- Recent government schemes for farmer empowerment and modernization of the revenue system.
Introduction [0:01]
The video begins by emphasizing the importance of the topic, stating that questions from this class are very likely to appear in the UP SI and UP Police Constable exams. The discussion will focus on the revenue system in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting its significance and relevance to the exams.
Establishment and Division of the Revenue Council [0:54]
In 1831, the Revenue Council was established. After independence, in 1947-48, it was divided into two branches: the Administrative Branch and the Judicial Branch. The Administrative Branch oversees administrative functions, while the Judicial Branch handles legal matters. The headquarters of the Administrative Branch is in Lucknow, and the headquarters of the Judicial Branch is in Prayagraj.
Hierarchy and Functions of Revenue Courts [3:22]
The highest revenue court is the High Court, and cases related to revenue go to the Revenue Council. The hierarchy includes the Divisional Commissioner, District Magistrate, and SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate). The video mentions that the current chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Council is a senior IAS officer. The lowest revenue court is the Naib Tehsildar, while the highest is the Revenue Council. The Revenue Council consists of one chairman and two administrative members.
Evolution of Land Revenue Acts [5:31]
The Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Act of 1901 and the Urban Zamindari Abolition Act of 1956 have been combined into the Revenue Code. The Revenue Code was passed in 2006 and implemented in 2016, replacing the old 1901 law.
Agricultural Census and Land Ownership [6:45]
The agricultural census in India is conducted every five years by the Revenue Department and the Ministry of Agriculture with the help of "kanoon go" and "Lekhpal". The first agricultural census was conducted in 1970-71. The Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Management Act of 1950 was implemented on July 1, 1952, to abolish the Zamindari system, where farmers were tenants rather than owners.
Consolidation of Land Holdings (Chakbandi) [9:12]
The Uttar Pradesh Consolidation of Holdings Act aims to consolidate fragmented land holdings. The first Chakbandi (consolidation) occurred in 1954. The maximum land holding limit is 18 acres, or 7.30 hectares, according to the Land Ceiling Act of 1960.
Revenue Council Sections and Land Records [11:00]
The Administrative Wing of the Revenue Council has 19 sections. Section 8 deals with Chakbandi, Section 4 with land records, and Section 11 with relief during floods and droughts. Section 14 deals with land revenue collection.
Key Revenue Officials and Land Documents [15:30]
The lowest revenue official at the village level is the Lekhpal. In 1952, the name "Patwari" was changed to "Lekhpal" by then Revenue Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. The Tehsildar is responsible for tax collection at the tehsil level. The District Magistrate (DM) is the highest revenue officer in the district. When the DM collects revenue, he is called the Collector. The Kanoongo supervises the work of the Lekhpal, also known as the Revenue Inspector.
Land Records and Updates [21:07]
The foundation of the record of rights is the Khasra, which contains the field number and crop details. The Khatauni contains details of the total land owned by a farmer. A Sajra is a map made on cloth. The Lekhpal updates the Khasra every year to reflect changes in crops. The Khatauni is updated every six years and has 13 columns.
Farmer-Centric Schemes and Land Transfers [23:47]
The Kisan Bahi is a passbook for farmers containing details of their land and revenue. Mutation (Dakhil Kharij) is the process of transferring land ownership in government records.
First Chakbandi and Agricultural Year [26:18]
The first Chakbandi was conducted in Muzaffarnagar and Sultanpur in 1954. By 1958, the Chakbandi scheme was implemented throughout the state. The agricultural year runs from July 1 to June 30.
Revenue Sources and District Contributions [28:41]
The state government's primary revenue source is the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST). Previously, Value Added Tax (VAT) was a significant source. Mining royalties are considered non-tax revenue. The district that contributes the most revenue to Uttar Pradesh is not specified in provided text.
Historical Acts and Amendments [32:31]
The Uttar Pradesh Urban Areas Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, which was passed in 1956, was repealed. VAT was implemented in India in 2005 and in Uttar Pradesh in 2008. The Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code of 2006, which replaced the old British-era laws, was enforced on February 11, 2016, after receiving presidential approval.
Training Institutes and Online Portals [35:29]
Raja Todarmal Survey and Land Records Training Institute is located in Hardoi and provides training to revenue officials. The UP Bhulekh portal, which allows online viewing of land records such as Khasra and Khatauni, was launched on May 2, 2016.
E-Services and Investment Portals [37:18]
The eDistrict UP portal was launched to provide online services such as income, caste, and domicile certificates. The Nivesh Sarathi portal, a single-window system for investors in Uttar Pradesh, was launched in November 2022.
Government Schemes and Initiatives [38:33]
The Swamitva Yojana, launched on April 24, 2021, uses drone technology to provide property cards to villagers. The Virasat Abhiyan, started on December 15, 2020, aims to resolve land-related disputes in rural areas by determining the rightful heirs. The Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan 2025 provides interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to young people in Uttar Pradesh to start their own businesses. The Samarth Abhiyan 2023, initiated by the Ministry of Rural Development, promotes digital transactions in village panchayats. Under this campaign, BC Sakhis (Banking Correspondent Sakhis) will train village women in digital literacy and receive ₹4,000 per month for six months.
Administrative Structure and Land Measurement [43:56]
A Divisional Commissioner is a revenue officer at the divisional level, above the District Magistrate. Uttar Pradesh has 75 districts and 80 Lok Sabha seats. One hectare is approximately equal to 2.47 acres. One acre equals 4046.8 square meters.
Revenue Authorities and Land Records [45:03]
The Tehsildar is authorized to issue income, caste, and residence certificates at the tehsil level. A computerized Khasra has 22 columns, while a Khatauni has 13 columns.
Land Management and Definitions [46:34]
The Bhumi Prabandhan Samiti (Land Management Committee) manages and controls village land according to Section 59 of the Revenue Code of 2006. The village head (Pradhan) is the ex-officio chairman of the Bhumi Prabandhan Samiti. The Lekhpal is the secretary, along with the Gram Pradhan. "Gata Sankhya" refers to the plot identification number in revenue records.
Land Measurement Units and Tenant Categories [49:18]
One "Pakka Bigha" is equal to 3025 square yards. According to the UP Revenue Code of 2006, tenants are divided into four categories, as per Section 74.
Land Transfer Restrictions and Regulations [50:43]
Section 98 of the Revenue Code restricts Scheduled Caste individuals from selling their land to non-SC individuals without prior permission from the District Magistrate.
Land Use Conversion and Dispute Resolution [51:31]
Section 80 allows the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to convert agricultural land into non-agricultural land for residential purposes. Section 24 empowers the SDM to resolve land boundary disputes.
Land Encroachment and Inheritance [53:01]
The Revenue Code includes provisions for removing illegal encroachments on village land and imposing penalties. Section 33 deals with recording the names of heirs in the Khatauni after inheritance or death.
Property Transfers and Land Ceiling Act [54:10]
Section 34 pertains to the process of mutation (Dakhil Kharij) for changing ownership through sale or will. The Land Ceiling Act of 1960 specifies the maximum amount of land a person can own.
