The Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 (MLRC) is the principal legislation that governs land and revenue administration in the state of Maharashtra. It consolidates and amends existing laws relating to land revenue, the maintenance of records of rights, and the duties and powers of revenue officers. For students of law, public administration, and anyone dealing with land matters in Maharashtra, understanding the framework of the revenue department and the functions of its officers is essential.
This guide explains the hierarchical structure, powers, and responsibilities of revenue officers under the MLRC, enabling a clear understanding of how land administration operates in the state.
Hierarchical Structure of Revenue Officers
The MLRC establishes a clear chain of command, starting from the State Government and extending down to village-level functionaries. Each officer in this hierarchy has defined powers and duties, ensuring an organized approach to land and revenue management.
1. State Government and the Chief Controlling Authority
At the top sits the State Government, which has the supreme authority over land revenue matters. The Commissioner serves as the chief controlling authority for each division, functioning under the guidance and control of the State Government. The government appoints a Commissioner for every division and can also appoint Additional Commissioners or Assistant Commissioners to support them in administrative and supervisory tasks.
2. The Collector – Head of the District
The Collector is the primary revenue officer at the district level, appointed by the State Government. The Collector’s role is broad, covering executive, quasi-judicial, and magisterial functions. Key responsibilities include:
- Overseeing revenue administration for the district.
- Supervising the collection of land revenue.
- Maintaining accurate land records.
The Collector may also exercise the powers of a Sub-Divisional Officer or Assistant/Deputy Collector when necessary. To assist in these tasks, the State Government may appoint Additional Collectors, Assistant Collectors, and Deputy Collectors.
3. Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) or Prant Officer
The SDO manages a sub-division within a district and performs most of the powers and duties of the Collector for that sub-division, except for those specifically reserved by the Collector. The SDO acts as a link between the district-level and taluka-level administration, ensuring smooth execution of revenue policies.
4. Tahsildar – Chief Officer of a Taluka
The Tahsildar is in charge of the revenue administration of a taluka (a sub-division of a district). Their role involves:
- Managing the assessment and collection of annual land revenue.
- Preparing required forms and statements for the annual jamabandi (revenue audit).
- Handling land-related applications and permissions.
The State Government may appoint one or more Naib-Tahsildars to assist the Tahsildar in handling taluka-level revenue operations.
5. Circle Officer and Talathi – Grassroots Administration
At the base of the hierarchy are the Circle Officer (also called Circle Inspector) and the Talathi.
- The Circle Officer supervises a group of villages (a circle) and monitors the Talathis’ work.
- The Talathi is the village-level revenue official responsible for:
- Collecting land revenue and dues recoverable as arrears.
- Maintaining the Record of Rights and other land records like the 7/12 extract.
- Reporting changes in land ownership or use.
Key Powers and Functions of Revenue Officers
The MLRC grants revenue officers powers that fall into revenue, quasi-judicial, and magisterial functions.
Revenue Functions
- Collection of Land Revenue – Tahsildars and Talathis play the primary role in assessing and collecting land revenue, as well as recovering government dues and loans.
- Maintenance of Land Records – Talathis maintain crucial documents such as the 7/12 extract and the Record of Rights, which record details of ownership, tenancy, and land use.
- Action Against Encroachments – Revenue officers can act against unauthorized occupation of government land, impose penalties, and evict encroachers.
- Conversion of Land Use – The Collector has the authority to permit conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, which is important for urban and industrial growth.
- Survey and Settlement – Survey Officers, appointed under the MLRC, ensure proper demarcation of land boundaries and maintain up-to-date survey records.
Quasi-Judicial and Magisterial Functions
- Revenue officers from Tahsildar upwards can hear and decide land disputes, such as boundary conflicts, partitions, and disputes regarding the Record of Rights.
- As magistrates, Collectors and Tahsildars also have powers under the Criminal Procedure Code to maintain law and order, disperse unlawful assemblies, and ensure public peace.
Delegation of Powers
The MLRC allows for delegation of authority to maintain efficiency. Higher-ranking officers may delegate certain powers to subordinates. For example, a Collector can assign specific duties to an SDO or Deputy Collector, ensuring that cases and administrative matters are handled promptly at the appropriate level.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 is not just a legal framework—it is the backbone of land administration in the state. Its structured hierarchy, from the State Government down to the Talathi, ensures that land revenue is collected efficiently, records are maintained accurately, disputes are resolved fairly, and public order is upheld. For law students, aspiring public servants, and land management professionals, mastering the provisions of the MLRC is essential to understanding how land governance operates in Maharashtra.
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Download The Bare Act for Maharashtra Land Revenue Code,1966 (MLRC,1966)
