State of Gujarat - Act
Saurashtra Land Reforms Act, 1951
GUJARAT
India
India
Saurashtra Land Reforms Act, 1951
Act 25 of 1951
- Published on 23 July 1951
- Commenced on 23 July 1951
- [This is the version of this document from 23 July 1951.]
- [Note: The original publication document is not available and this content could not be verified.]
Chapter I
. Preliminary.
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
- In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context:-3. Act to over-ride other laws.
- Save as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the provisions of this Act and of the rules and orders made thereunder shall have effect, notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force or any instrument having effect by virtue of any such law or any usage, agreement, settlement, grant, sanad or any decree or order of any court or other authority,Chapter II
. Land Revenue And Classification of Girasdars.
4. All Girasdari land liable to payment of land revenue.
- It is hereby declared that all land of whatever description held by a Girasdar is and shall continue to be liable to the payment of land revenue to the [ [ State of Gujarat.] [These words were substituted for the word 'State' by the Bombay (Saurashtra Area) Adaptation of Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1956.] ].5. Classification of Girasdars.
Chapter III
. Girasdars And Their Relationship With Tenants
6. Persons when deemed to be tenants.
7. Restrictions on rent.
- It shall not be lawful for a Girasdar to recover from any tenant in respect of any holding of that tenant any rent exceeding an amount equal to one and a half times the assessment thereon :[Provided that where a tenant has not filed an application on or before the 3lst December, 1954, for the acquisition of occupancy rights in respect of his holding under section 28, the Girasdar may recover after that date any rent not exceeding an amount equal to two and a half times the assessment on such holding.] [This proviso was added by Saurashtra Act No. XXXV of 1954.]8. Cess, rate, hak tax or service not leviable.
- It shall not be lawful for a Girasdar to levy or receive from any tenant in respect of any holding of that tenant any cess, rate, hak, tax or service of any description or denomination whatsoever in addition to the rent lawfully recoverable under section 7.9. Penalty, refund and compensation.
- If the Mamlatdar, after due inquiry in the prescribed manner, is satisfied that a Girasdar has recovered any rent, cess, hak, rate, tax or received any service from any tenant in contravention of the provisions of section 7 or section 8, the Mamlatdar may dirct the Girasdar-10. Land revenue payable by Girasdar.
- A Girasdar shall, in respect of any land for which rent is payable to him by a tenant, be liable to pay to the Government as land revenue a sum equal to twelve and half per cent of the assessment on that land.11. Suspension or remission of rent.
12. Termination of Tenancy.
13. Belief against termination of tenancy for non-payment.
- Where any tenancy is terminated for non-payment of rent and the Girasdar files any proceeding before the Mamlatdar to eject the tenent, the Mamlatdar shall call upon the tenent to tender to the Girasadr the rent in arrears together with the cost of the proceeding, within fifteen days from the date of the order, and if the tenent complies with such an order, the Mamlatdar shall, in lieu of making an order for ejectment, pass an order directing that the tenancy had not been terminated and thereupon the tenent shall hold the land as if the tenancy had not been terminated.13A. [ Termination of tenancy not to take effect in certain cases. [This section was inserted by Saurashtra Act No. XXXVI of 1953.]
13B. [ Assistance to Girasdar for recovery of rent. [This section was inserted by Saurashtra Act No. XXXVI of 1953.] - Notwithstanding anything contained in section 86 of the Code, the Girasdar shall, upon written application to the Mamlatdar, be entiteled to assistance, by the use of precautionary and other measures, except that contained in section 137 of the Code, and in the same manner as prescribed in Chapter XI of the Code, for the recovery of rent payable to him by the tenant:
Provided that no such application shall be entertained for the recovery of rent a suit for which has become barred under the Indian Limitation Act, 1908 at the date of such application.]14. Bar to eviction from drwelling-house.
15. Belief against eviction from dwelling-house in certain cases.
- Where any tenant of any dwelling-house is liable to be evicted under the provisions of section 14 and the Girasdar files any proceeding before the Mamlatdar to eject the tenant, the Mamlatdar shall, by order in witing,-16. Dwelling house of agricultural labourers.
- The Government may, by notification, in the Official Gazette, direct that the provisions of section 14 or of section 34 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the dwelling-house and sites thereof occupied by agricultural labourers or artisans in any particular area specified in the notification.17. Restoration of possession.
- Where any land was reserved by the Girasdar for personal cultivation at any time after the 1st January, 1948, but before the 20th May, 1950, and an application disputing such reservation has been made by a tenant before the [1st May, 1951] [These words and figures were substituted for the words and figures '20th May 1950' by Sau- rashtra Act No. I of 1952, s. 2.] and is pending at the commencement of this Act, or where such reservation was made by the Girasdar at any time after the 20th May, 1950, or where such reservation having been made at any time between the 1st January, 1948, and the 20th May, 1950, the land was let out to another tenant after the 20th May, 1950, and an application disputing such reservation or letting out, as the case may be, is made within ninety days from the common cement of this Act, the Mamlatdar shall decide the dispute, and if he decides that the reservation of any land was made illegally, or that the tenant was entitled to restoration of the land, he shall direct that the possession of such land shall be restored to the tenant.18. Act not to effect right or privileges of tenant under any other law.
- Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to limit or abridge the rights or privileges of any tenant under any usage or law for the time being in force or arising out of any contract, grant, ecree or order of a court or otherwise howsoever.Chapter IV
Allotment of Land To Girasdar For Personal Cultivation.
19. Application by Girasdar for allotment of land for personal cultivation.
20. Inquiry by Mamlatdar and order of allotment.
21. Allotment of land to Girasdars of A and B class.
- Subject to the provisions of this Chapter a Girasdar of A class or B class shall be allotted land for personal cultivation to such an extent as, when added to the area of Gharkhed in his estate and of Khalsa land, if any, in his possession, would make up the total area as shown below:-22. Principles and method of allotment of laud to Girasdars of A and B class.
- In making an allotment of land to any Girasdars of A class or B class, the Mamlatdar shall have due regard to the following provisions, namely :-23. Girasdars to whom land may be allotted.
- Under the provisions of this Chapter, land shall be allotted -24. Allotment of land to C class Girasdars.
25. Special provision for allotment to Girasdars of land for personal cultivation from verayati land.
- In any verayati land26. Allotment of land, etc, in Girasdari Majmu village.
27. Saving in certain cases.
- Nothing contained in this Chapter shall apply to any land in respect of which a tenant has acquired chav or buta hak.Chapter V
. Acquisition of Occupancy Rights By Tenants.
28. Acquisition of occupancy rights by tenants.
29. Inquiry by Mamlatdar.
- On receipt of any application under section 28, the Mamlatdar shall issue notice to the Girasdar concerned and, after giving the parties an opportunity of being heard, shall make an inquiry in the prescribed manner.30. Issue of occupancy certificate to a tenant.
31. Consequence of the issue of occupancy certificate.
- Where an occupancy certificate has been issued under section 30 by the Mamlatdar in respect of occupancy holding, the following consequences shall, in respect of the holding, ensue from the date on which the occupancy certificate becomes effective, namely:-32. Occupancy certificate when to be effective'.
- An occupancy certificate issued under section 30 shall be effective-33. Payment of compensation.
34. Dwelling houses.
- The dwelling houses included in the occupancy holding shall vest in the occupant provided that if such a dwelling house or part of it had been built otherwise than at the expense of the tenant or his predecessor-in-title, it shall vest in the occupant free from all encumbrances, if any, made by the Girasdar on payment of such compensation to the Girasdar as may be determined, by the Mamlatdar in this behalf in accordance with the principles laid down in the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.35. Chav or buta hak.
35A. [ Claims of widow-jiwaidars. [This section was inserted, by Saurashtra Act No. II of 1954.]
36. Girasdar's right to be deemed to be extinguished.
- On the payment by the Government of the last instalment of compensation payable under this Act, in respect of an occupancy holding, all the remaining rights, title and interest of the Girasdar in that holding shall be deemed to have been extinguished.37. Certain mortgages and charges not enforceable against occupancy holding.
- Notwithstanding anything contained in any contract or any law for the time being in force, no claim or liability, whether under any decree or order of a civil court or otherwise enforceable against a Girasdar for any money which is charged on, or is secured by a mortgage of, any land in the possession of a tenant shall be enforceable against the occupancy holding of an occupant and every such claim or liability shall be deemed to be a charge on the compensation payable to the Girasdar in respect of such land.38. Borrowing of tenant from the State Bank.
39. Girasdar to be occupant.
40. Assessments payable by Girasdars on Gharkhed and land allotted under Chapter IV.
- A Girasdar specified in column 1 of the Third Schedule shall be liable to pay to the Government as land revenue on the land held by him as Gharkhed or the land allotted to him under the provisions of Chapter IV at the rates and for the periods shown in the corresponding entry in column 2 thereof.41. [ Payments to be charged. [These words were substituted for the words 'State of Bombay' by the Gujarat Adaptation of Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960.]
- The payments to be made by the Government to a Girasdar as compensation under this Act shall be deemed to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of the [39]State of Gujarat]].[Chapter V-A [New Chapter V-A and the sections 41A, 41B, 41C, and 41D thereunder were inserted; Sau. Act No. XXX of 1955, section 2.] Acquisition of Occupancy Rights By Settlement Commissioner On Behalf of Certain Tenants.41A. Acquisition of occupancy rights by Settlement Commissioner.
- Notwithstanding anything contained in Chapter V-41B. Consequences of the issue of the occupancy certificate.
- Where an occupancy certificate has been issued by the Mamlatdar under section 41A in respect of any occupancy holding the following consequences shall, in respect of such holding, ensue from the date on which the occupancy certificate becomes effective, namely:-41C. Transfer of occupancy certificate.
- After the amount of compensation referred to in clause (a) of section 41B is recovered in full from the tenant, the Settlement Commissioner shall transfer such occupancy certificate to the tenant in such manner and subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed.41D. Application of certain provisions.
- The provisions of sections 33, 34, 36, 37 and 41 shall apply, so far as may be practicable and with such formal modifications as may be necessary to any case to which the provisions of this Chapter are applicable.]Chapter VI
. Rehabilitation Grant.
42. Rehabilitation grant.
- In addition to the compensation payable to a Girasdar under the provisions of Chapter V [or Chapter V-A] [These words, figures and letter were inserted by Sau. Act No.XXX of 1955, s.3.] the Government shall pay as rehabilitation grant to the Girasdars specified in column 1 of the Fourth Schedule the amount shown in the corresponding entry in column 2 thereof.43. Rehabilitation grant not liable to seizure or attachment.
- No amount granted as rehabilitation grant under section 42 shall be liable to seizure or attachment by process of any court or other authority at the instance of a creditor, or for any demand against the grantee, or in satisfaction of a decree or order of any such court or other authority.Chapter VII
. Miscellaneous.
44. Assessment.
45. Appointment of Settlement Commissioner and Special Officer.
- The Government may appoint-46. Functions of Mamlatdar.
- The Mamlatdar may, for the purposes of this Act, perform the following functions, namely :-47. Procedure of inquiry.
- In holding an inquiry under this Act, the Mamlatdar shall maintain a record of the proceeding before him containing material averments made by the parties interested, material facts of the evidence and his decision and the reasons thereof. The Mamlatdar shall, for the purposes of this inquiry, have all the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, relating to-48. Commencement of proceedings.
- Save as otherwise provided by or under this Act, all inquiries and other proceedings before the Mamlatdar may be commenced by an application which shall contain the following particulars:-49. Procedure.
- In all inquiries and proceedings commenced on the presentation of applications under section 48, the Mamlatdar shall exercise the same power as the Mamlatdars' Courts under the Saurashtra Mamlatdars' Courts Ordinance, 1948, (Ordinance No. LII of 1948) and shall follow the provisions of the said Ordinance, as if the Mamlatdar were a Mamlatdar's Court under the said Ordinance, and the application were a plaint presented under section 7 of the said Ordinance. In regard to matters which are not provided for the said Ordinance, the Mamlatdar shall follow the procedure as may be prescribed by the Government. Every decision of the Mamlatdar shall be recorded in the form of an order which shall state the reasons for such decision.50. Execution of order for payment of money or for restoring possession.
51. Appeal.
52. Revision.
53. Orders in appeal or revision.
54. Court fees.
- Notwithstanding anything contained in the Court Fees, Act 1870 (VII of 1870), as adapted and applied to the [Saurashtra area of the [State of Gujarat] [These words were substituted for the word 'State' by the Bombay (Saurashtra Area) Adap tation of Laws (State and Concurrent Subjects )Order 1956.]] every application or appeal made under this Act to the Mamlatdar, Collector or Tribunal shall have a court-fee stamp of such value as may be prescribed.55. Limitation.
- Every appeal or application for revision under this Act shall be filed within a period of sixty days from the date of the order of the Mamlatdar or the Collector, as the case may be, and the provisions of sections 4, 5, 12 and 14 of the Indian Limitation Act, 1908, (IX of 1908) shall apply to the filing of such appeal or application for revision.56. Inquiries and proceedings to be judicial proceedings.
- All inquiries and proceedings before the Mamlatdar, the Collector or Tribunal shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings within the meaning of sections 192, 219 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860).57. Penalty for marking false statements.
58. Obstruction with the rights obtained under this Act, Rules.
- If any person wilfully obstructs the rights of any other person acquired under the provisions of this Act, or contravenes the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 20 the Mamlatdar may direct that the person so obstructing or contravening shall pay a fine not exceeding rupees one thousand.59.
60. Delegation of Powers.
- The Government may, subject to such restrictions and conditions as it may impose by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate to any of its officers not below the rank of an Assistant or Deputy Collector, all or any of the powers conferred on it by this Act.61. Summary eviction.
- Any person who is in unauthorised occupation or wrongful possession of any land or dwelling house, not being entitled to such occupation or possessions under the provisions of this Act, may be summarily evicted by the Collector.62. Bar of jurisdiction.
63. [ Governments power of control and revision. [Section 3 of the Saurashtra Act No, XVI of 1956 reads as follows:-']
64. Indemnity.
- No suit or legal proceeding shall lie against any person in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act.65. Repeal.
| Regions | Area of Cultivable land | |||||
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 1 | Zalawad District | .. | .. | .. | .. | 40 acres |
| 2 | Halar District | - | ||||
| (a) | Jam-Jodhpur Taluka and Amran Chovisi of Jodia.Mahal | .. | .. | .. | .. | 32 acres |
| (b) | Kalawad Taluka | .. | .. | .. | .. | 36 acres |
| (c) | Rest of Halar District | .. | .. | .. | .. | 40 acres |
| 3 | Gohilwad District | .. | .. | .. | .. | 32 acres |
| 4 | Madhya Saurashtra District- | |||||
| (a) | Morvi Taluka, Wankaner Taluka, Maliya Mahal,[Panchal area (Babra Taluka), Rajkot Taluka,] [These words, brackets and comma were substituted for the words and commas 'Panchal area, Babra Taluka' by Saurashtra Act No. 1 of 1952, s. 4.]Paddhari Mahal,Lodhika Mahal and Kotda Sangani Mahal | .. | .. | .. | .. | 40 acres |
| (b) | Babra Taluka excluding Panchal area, JasdanTaluka, Kandorna Mahal, Gondal Taluka, Kunkavav Taluka, andJetpur Taluka | .. | .. | .. | 32 acres | |
| (c) | Dhoraji Taluka including Upleta Peta-Mahal | .. | 28 acres | |||
| 5 | Sorath District- | |||||
| (a) | Ranavav and Porbandar Taluka excluding Ghedarea | .. | 28 acres | |||
| (b) | Ghed area | .. | .. | .. | .. | 24 acres |
| (c) | Five miles wide sea-shore belt from Madhavpurto Kodinar, Kutiana Proper, Mandva, Kaji, Thepda, Ujad, Thepda,Baloch and Bhadar Chhel Bhag | .. | .. | 20 acres | ||
| (d) | Rest of the Sorath District | .. | .. | .. | 32 acres |
| Serial No. | Name of the Village | Taluka or Mahal | District |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1 | Nana Garadia | Dhrol | Halar |
| 2 | Sudhaguna | .. | Halar |
| 3 | Dhokalia | Padadhari | MadhySaurashtra |
| 4 | Dahisarda | Padadhari | MadhyaSaurashtra[5 .. .. ..] [This serial Number 5 which read as '5-Nagar-pipalia-L dh ka Mahal, Madhya Saurashtra' was deleted by Revenue Department. Notification No. RD/IV/1267, dated 23rd July, 1952.] |
| [The following villages were added to thisSchedule by notifications under sub-section (8) of section 26]. | |||
| [6 [These entries were inserted by Revenue Department notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 12th April, 1952.] | Manekvada | Halvad | Zalawad |
| 7 | Ratabhi | Halvad | Zalawad |
| 8 | Dungarpur | Halvad | Zalawad |
| 9 | Vankia | Halvad | Zalawad |
| 10 | Chupari | Halvad | Zalawad |
| 11 | Nava-Rampura | Vallabhipur | Gohilwad |
| 12 | Liliva | Palitana | Gohilwad |
| 13 | Chhapra | Kalawad | Halar |
| 14 | Nani-Banugar | Jamnagar | Halar |
| 15 | Sanosara | Jamnagar | Halar] |
| [16 [These entries were inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 13th May, 1052.] | Shekhalia | Chotila | Zalawad |
| 17 | Bokadthumba | Wankaner | Madhya Saurashtra |
| 18 | Pipalia | Kandorna | Madhya Saurashtra |
| 19 | Dungrani | Devalia | Kalawad Halar |
| 20 | Vagadia | Jamnagar | Halar ] |
| [21 [This entry which read as 'Rajput-Bajpara----Tina----Sorath' was inserted but afterwards deleted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1S07, dated 6th March 1954.] | -- | -- | --] |
| [22 [These entries were inserted by Revenue Department Notificaticn No. RD/IV/1307, dated 3rd July 1952.] | Kaswala | Sayla | Zalawad |
| 23 | Eampara | Chotila | Zalawad |
| 24 | Tali | Talaja | Gohilwad |
| 25 | Sarwania (Hakumati) | Kalawad | Halar] |
| [26 [These entries were inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 23rd July 1952.] | Dudhali | Chotila | Zalawad |
| 27 | Bhimgadh | Chotila | Zalawad |
| 28 | Nalieri | Chotila | Zalawad |
| 29 | Bhalgamda | Halwad | Zalawad |
| 30 | Nani Nagajab | Kalawad | Halar |
| 31 | Golania | Kalawad | Halar |
| 32 | Haripar | Kalawad | Halar |
| 33 | Vadakhand | Upleta | Madhya Saurashtra |
| 34 | Panasda | Gariadhar | Gohilwad] |
| [35 [These entries were inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/1V/1307, dated 21st October, 1952.] | Gada | Kalawad | Halar |
| 36 | Kansvirdi | Lalpar | Halar |
| 37 | Tarnetar | Chotila | Zalawad] |
| [38 [This entry was inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/1V/1307, dated. January 1953.] | Pajwali | Chotila | Zalawad] |
| [39 [These entries were inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 16th March 1953.] | Moti Jagdhar | Mahuva | Gohilwad |
| 40 | Kathrota | Rajkot | Madhya Saurashtra |
| 41 | Vanala | Babra | Madhya Saurashtra |
| 42 | Ranipat | Muli | Zalawad |
| 43 | Khakhrathal | Muli | Zalawad] |
| [44 [This entry was inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 9th April, 1953.] | Bhadakva | Limbdi | Zalawad] |
| [45 [This entry was inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 3rd November, 1953.] | Sukhpur | Jamjodhpur | Halar] |
| [46 [This entry was inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 11th January 1954.] | Dharadungari | Sayla | Zalawad] |
| [47 [These entries were inserted by Revenue Department Notification No. RD/IV/1307, dated 13th January 1954.] | Velala | Muli Taluka | Zalawad |
| 48 | Raidhara | Halwad | Zalawad] |
| Class of Girasdar | Assessment to be charged | |
| 1 | 2 | |
| Girasdar of A Class | Full assessment. | |
| Girasdar of B Class | Four annas per acre for the first three years,eight annas per acre for the next three years. | |
| [One half of the assessment for the next sixyears ] [These words were substituted for the words 'one half the assessment for the next five years' by Saurashtra Act No. 1 of 1952, s. 5.]Full assessment thereafter. | ||
| Girasdar of C Class | Four annas per acre for 21 years. | |
| Full assessment thereafter. |
| Glass of Girasdar | Amount of grant | |
| 1 | 2 | |
| Girasdar of B Class. | Three additional installments each equal to oneassessment payable annually after and in continuation ofcompensation under section 33. | |
| Girasdar of C Class | Six additional installments, each equal to oneassessment payable annually after and in continuation ofcompensation under section 33. |