Transfer of Powers to Tahsildars and RDOs:

by

Will Land Issues Now Be Resolved Faster?

Administrative Reform in Land Dispute Resolution

The State Government has implemented a major administrative reform with the objective of bringing land-related services closer to the people, speeding up procedures, and increasing transparency.

Many land-related powers that were earlier under District-level authorities have now been transferred to:

  • Mandal-level, Tahsildars, and
  • Divisional-level, Revenue Divisional Officers (RDOs)

These changes came into force through Circular Memo No. REV01-LANAOLAND/435/2025, Dt. 02-01-2026, with comprehensive operational guidelines.

Main Objectives of the Reform

  • Reduce the burden on citizens who frequently visit District offices
  • Shorten file processing time
  • Enable resolution at the local level
  • Improve accuracy of digital land records
  • Increase public satisfaction

Major Subjects Transferred to Tahsildars

Common land administration matters directly connected to the public are now handled at the Mandal level.

These include:

  • Land Alienation
  • Land Acquisition
  • Land Assignment
  • Aadhaar Seeding
  • Deletion of duplicate survey numbers
  • Correction of multiple accounts
  • Removal of accounts of deceased persons
  • Conversion of Private Notional Khatas → Regular Khatas
  • Conversion of Zero Khatas → Regular Khatas
  • Deletion of slash/dash duplicate survey numbers

Especially, many mutation-related matters can now be resolved at the Mandal level itself.

Subjects Transferred to RDOs

Matters requiring technical verification, map corrections, dispute status updates, or detailed scrutiny are transferred to the RDO level. These include:

  • Corrections in re-survey villages
  • Addition of missing survey numbers
  • Changes in the Dispute Register
  • Change of land nature/classification
  • Correction of account number in LPM
  • Correction of ROR extent vs Shape file extent
  • Addition of pattadar details in LPM

Issues relating to maps, digital records, and dispute status will now be resolved at the Divisional level.

Matters Still Under Higher Authorities (Joint Collector)

Sensitive and policy-level matters continue under the Joint Collector:

  • Land assignment to Ex-Servicemen / Freedom Fighters
  • Conversion of Government land into Patta land
  • Land Exchange
  • Changes based on Court Orders
  • Regularization of Notional / Zero Khatas

Key Changes Regarding 22-A List Deletion

As per the Circular:

  • Deletion from 22-A can be decided based on a single valid document
  • Multiple documents should not be demanded
  • A valid record should not be rejected based on another record
  • Pending 22-A applications must be resolved within 3 months
  • Routine rejections are not allowed a mandatory “Speaking Order” must be issued

Division of Authority:

  • Removal from 22-A → RDO
  • Inclusion in 22-A → Collector
  • Appeal (within 30 days) → Joint Collector

This reform provides significant relief to the public.

New Changes in ROR & Mutation System

Family Partition Deeds

  • Stamp duty concession for agricultural land family partitions
  • FMC (Family Member Certificate) mandatory
  • Auto-mutation in Webland after registration

This reduces the gap between registration and mutation.

New Services in GSWS / Mee-Seva

Newly introduced mutation services:

  • Mutation based on Court Orders
  • Mutation for registrations before 2000
  • Mutation for heirs of assignees
  • Correction of missing/duplicate survey numbers
  • Deletion of multiple accounts

Citizens can apply directly online.

Online Pre-Verification (At SRO Level)

Before registration, land status can now be verified:

  • Whether registration is possible or not will be known in advance
  • If not possible, clear reasons must be given
  • Oral information is prohibited
  • A printed copy must be issued

This reduces registration failures.

Strict Rules in Notice System

  • Notice is mandatory even for minor changes
  • Served notice copy must be uploaded online
  • VRO holds personal responsibility
  • Simply displaying notice at the Village Secretariat is not sufficient
  • Neighbor’s signature is required

This is crucial to reduce land disputes.

Accountability & Discipline

  • Delay beyond timeline → PAR entry
  • Action against routine rejections
  • Failure to update records after order → treated as duty lapse
  • Collectors must fix responsibility

Benefits to the Public

  • Reduced need to visit District offices
  • Saving of time and money
  • Faster resolution at village/mandal level
  • Improved accuracy of digital records
  • Transparent administration

Administrative Analysis

Through this transfer of powers, the Government is clearly implementing a Decentralized Land Governance Model.

As a result:

  • Decision-making layers have reduced
  • File hierarchy has become shorter
  • Accountability has shifted to local levels
  • Service delivery time has decreased

This administrative reform brings land-related services closer to citizens and decentralizes the decision-making process. With powers shifted to Mandal and Divisional levels, there is greater potential for improved timeliness, transparency, and accountability. Clear procedures have now been established in critical areas like 22-A, mutation, and record corrections. If properly implemented, land issues can indeed be resolved much faster.

Translate this in Telugu

Leave a Comment