Introduction
Village Form No. 8A is an indispensable document in the land revenue administration of Gujarat. This form serves as a record of landholding, detailing the name, holding number, total survey numbers, area, and assessment of the landholder. It is a comprehensive record that complements other crucial village forms like Form No. 6 and Form No. 7/12. This chapter aims to elucidate the significance of Form No. 8A, its interaction with other forms, and its role within the broader legal framework.
Legal Framework
Village Form No. 8A derives its legal standing from the Gujarat Land Revenue Code, 1879, specifically under Section 213. It is mandatory for this form to be updated regularly to reflect any changes in the land records accurately.
Amendments to Land Revenue Code
- Effective Date: The Land Revenue Code was amended on 16-12-1986.
- New Sections: Sections 135-LL to 135-T were added.
- New Rules: Land Revenue Rules were amended to add Chapter-15, Rules 113A to 113K.
- Inclusion: The chapter on Khedut passbook and Khedut Khatavahi was included and covered under the law.
Maintenance of Khedut Passbook
- Copies: The passbook is to be maintained in two copies; one for the cultivators and the other for the competent officer.
- Responsibility: The competent officer is responsible for maintaining and updating the cultivator’s passbook.
The Role of Village Form No. 8A
- Comprehensive Land Data: Village Form No. 8A is designed to provide a holistic view of land data, including ownership, type of land, and other relevant details.
- Legal Validity: It holds legal validity under the Gujarat Land Revenue Code, 1879, and its subsequent amendments.
- Mutation Records: This form is closely related to Village Form No. 6, which deals with mutation records.
- Land Ownership: It also complements Village Form No. 7/12, which is primarily concerned with land ownership and related details.
Components of Village Form No. 8A
- Landowner’s Name: The name of the person who owns the land.
- Survey Number: The specific number assigned to the land.
- Land Type: Whether the land is agricultural, non-agricultural, etc.
- Mutation Details: Information related to any changes in the land or its ownership.
Interaction with Village Form No. 6
Village Form No. 8A is intrinsically links with Village Form No. 6, which is the primary document for recording mutations. Any changes in ownership or land type are first recorded in Form No. 6 and then updated in Form No. 8A.
Interaction with Village Form No. 7/12
Village Form No. 7/12 serves as the primary document for establishing land ownership. Form No. 8A complements this by providing additional details like land type, mutations, and other particulars.
Village Form No. 8-B: Khatavahi of Credit-Debit
- Annual Requirement: This form must be filled out every year to record all amounts due, recovered, and paid by the landholder in earlier years.
- Types of Holdings: The form categorizes holdings as monopoly, auction, or Makta.
- Makta Holding: In this type, the yield is fixed at the village level, not by the individual landholder.
- Miscellaneous Receipts: Any miscellaneous receipt of land revenue is to be entered in this form as soon as it is recorded in Form-4.
- Waivers and Deferrals: Entries for any waivers or deferrals of payment are made in this form, adjusting the amount to be recovered accordingly.
Education Cess Act, 1962
- Implementation: According to the Education Cess Act, 1962, it is decided that the Panchayat has to raise education cess.
- Entry Procedure: After making an entry of the education cess in Village Form No. 8-A, the Talati has to make an entry in Village Form No. 8-C.
- Exclusion: No change is to be made in Village Form No. 8-B regarding the education cess.
Importance of Village Form No. 8-B for Revenue Recovery
- Data Source: This form derives data from Village Form No. 8 regarding the amount of permanent yield due.
- Purpose: It is crucial for the recovery of land revenue from the landholder
Conclusion
Land records are an essential part of any state’s revenue system. They provide information about the ownership, rights, and liabilities of land. In Gujarat, the Department of Revenue is responsible for maintaining land records. The department has created an online platform called AnyROR to check land records for rural and urban regions.
Village Form No. 8A is not just a supplementary form but a cornerstone in the land revenue administration of Gujarat. Its role in providing comprehensive land data and its interaction with other vital forms like Form No. 6 and Form No. 7/12 make it an indispensable tool in the governance of land revenue. By understanding the intricacies of Form No. 8A, one gains a comprehensive view of its significance in the land revenue system, thereby appreciating its role in the broader legal and administrative framework.
