Introduction
Natham lands in Tamil Nadu have long been used for residential purposes in villages, but managing and owning these lands often comes with significant challenges. Issues such as misclassification, incomplete surveys, and incorrect entries in land records can complicate ownership and lead to legal disputes. In this article, we’ll explore the key issues surrounding Natham lands and provide solutions for rectifying these problems, ensuring that you secure your rightful land ownership.
Issue 1: Rectifying Misclassified Natham Lands and Granting Pattas
The Problem:
Natham lands are sometimes misclassified during surveys as “vacant Natham,” “Sarkar” (government land), “abandoned,” or “poramboke” (non-revenue land). These misclassifications can go unnoticed for years, only becoming a problem when the landowner tries to sell the property, apply for building permits, or secure property loans. The incorrect classification can cause delays and even rejections in processing these applications.
Solution:
To rectify the misclassification, you must file a petition with the District Collector, accompanied by supporting documents such as:
- Sale deeds
- Property tax receipts
- Electricity bill receipts
A Government Order (K3/14710/2015, dated 07.08.2015) allows for the correction of misclassifications. It is crucial to include this order in your petition. After submitting the application, a field investigation will be conducted based on the guidelines outlined in the Urban Development Report (UDR) name correction article, which applies to this process.
Issue 2: Requesting Pattas for Occupied Natham Lands Misclassified as Vacant
The Problem:
Many people unknowingly purchase Natham lands classified as “vacant Natham.” These lands are often registered without the buyer or the registration department realizing that the land is classified incorrectly. This can lead to issues when the buyer tries to regularize the land or apply for permits.
Solution:
To address this, you must file a petition with the District Collector during the Monday grievance meeting. According to the Revenue Department’s 21st order, the land can be allocated to you for a fee, or you may need to wait for the next Natham mega survey to reclassify the land correctly. It is important to distinguish between “squatting” and “encroachment” as defined by the government, as this will affect the processing of your petition.
Issue 3: Correcting Errors in Natham Survey Records
The Problem:
Errors in names, survey numbers, or measurements are common in Natham land records. If your name is listed incorrectly, or if there are discrepancies in the survey number or land extent, it can create confusion during land transactions or legal processes.
Solution:
To correct these errors, file a petition with the District Revenue Officer. The local Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and Revenue Inspector will conduct investigations and submit reports. Based on these reports, the Revenue Officer will issue a correction order. The correction process follows the same fieldwork steps mentioned in the UDR name correction article, ensuring that all discrepancies are resolved.
Issue 4: Removing Unauthorized Names from Natham Pattas
The Problem:
In some cases, an unauthorized person’s name may appear on your Natham patta, or your name may be missing from the record even though you should be listed as a landowner. This can complicate ownership rights and lead to legal disputes over the land.
Solution:
File an appeal for patta modification with the Revenue Officer. Both parties will be summoned for an inquiry, and based on the findings, modifications to the patta will be made. This ensures that your name is correctly listed, and unauthorized entries are removed. The necessary fieldwork is detailed in the UDR name correction article, which outlines the steps for patta corrections.
Issue 5: Lack of Natham Survey in Many Villages
The Problem:
Despite the Natham survey project running between 1990 and 1995 across Tamil Nadu, many villages were either not surveyed or were surveyed incompletely. This often results in a single survey number covering an entire area without sub-survey numbers, leading to double documentation issues, ownership disputes, and court cases.
Solution:
Villagers should collectively petition the District Collector to conduct a complete Natham survey in their village. Persistent petitions, especially during electoral promises, can pressure the authorities to finish the survey. Completing the survey will subdivide Natham lands properly, assigning individual survey numbers and ensuring accurate ownership records.
Conclusion
Village Natham lands, while historically significant, come with a range of challenges for landowners due to misclassifications, incomplete surveys, and incorrect record entries. By understanding the issues and taking the right steps—whether it’s filing petitions with the district collector, correcting survey records, or requesting pattas—you can secure your land rights and avoid future legal disputes. Make sure to follow up persistently and consult government guidelines to ensure a smooth process.
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