LexThe Telangana Bhoodan and Gramdan Act, 1965.
Telangana · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this actTHE TELANGANA BHOODAN AND GRAMDAN ACT, 1965.
(ACT NO. 13 OF 1965)
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Sections
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY.
1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.
CHAPTER II
CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF
THE BOARD
3. Constitution and incorporation of the Board.
4. Composition of the Board.
4-A. Secretary and other members of the staff.
5. Term of Office.
6. Resignation of Chairman, Vice-Chairman or other
member.
7. Removal of Chairman or other member.
8. Filling of casual vacancies.
9. Dissolution and reconstitution of the Board.
10. Acts of the Board, etc. not to be invalidated by
informality.
11. Local Committees.
12. Donation of land.
13. Declarations filed under section 12.
14. Grant of land by the Board.
2 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
15. Preparation of list of lands donated prior to
commencement of this Act.
16. Fund and property of the Board.
CHAPTER III
CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF
THE GRAM SABHA
17. Declaration of a village as Gramadan village and
constitution of Gram Sabha.
18. Power of grantee of land to donate land to Gram
Sabha.
19. Power of Gram Sabha to transfer and alienate
land.
20. Management of the lands vested in Gram Sabha.
21. Acts of Gram Sabha or its committee not to be
invalidated by informality, etc.
22. Allotment of land by Gram Sabha.
23. Disputes regarding allotment of land.
24. Eviction of allottee.
24-A. Removal of encroachment from Telangana
Bhoodan Yagna Board property.
24-B. Enforcement of orders made under section 24-A.
24-C. Review and cancellation of illegal allotments.
24-D. Vesting of land with the Board and its use.
25. Funds of Gram Sabha.
26. Attachment and sale of lands vesting in Gram
Sabha.
27. Supersession of a Gram Sabha.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 3
CHAPTER IV
MISCELLANEOUS
28. Appeal.
29. Filing of suits.
30. Grantee or allottee of land not to be a tenant.
31. Exemption of stamp duty and registration fee etc.
32. Act to over ride other laws.
33. Power to make regulations.
34. Power to make Rules.
35. Repeal and saving.
THE TELANGANA BHOODAN AND GRAMDAN ACT, 1965.1
ACT No.13 OF 1965.
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. (1) This Act may be called the 2Telangana Bhoodan
and Gramdan Act, 1965.
(2) It extends to the whole of the State of 2Telangana.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the
Government may, by notification in the 2Telangana Gazette
appoint.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) ‘Bhoodan Yagna’ means the movement initiated by
Sri Acharya Vinobha Bhave for the acquisition of lands by
way of donation , for distribution to the landless poor
persons, or for a community purpose;
(b) ‘Board’ means the 2Telangana Bhoodan Yagna
Board constituted under section 3;
(c) ‘community purpose’ means any purpose which is
for the general good of the community;
1. The Andhra Pradesh Bhoodan and Gramdan Act, 1965, received the
assent of the President on 24 th April, 1965. The said Act in force in the
combined State, as on 02.06.2014, has been adapted to the State of
Telangana, under section 101 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation
Act, 2014 (Central Act 6 of 2014) vide. the Notification issued
G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated 05.07.2014.
2. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Short title, extent
and
commencement.
Definitions.
2 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
(d) ‘Government’ means the State Government;
(e) ‘Gramdan’ means a voluntary donation of land in a
village made in pursuance of Bhoodan Yagna;
(f) ‘Gram Sabha’ means a Gram Sabha constituted
under section 17;
(g) ‘ Gramdan Village’ means a village notified under
section 17;
(h) ‘Land’ includes the benefits arising out of land,
things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to
anything attached to the earth;
(i) ‘landless poor person’ means a person who does
not own any land or who owns land which does not exceed
such limit, and whose annual income does not exceed such
sum as may be prescribed;
3[(i-a) ‘notification’ means notification published in the
Telangana Gazette and the word notified shall be construed
accordingly;]
(j) ‘owner’ includes-
(1) in the case of land situate in an estate not taken
over by the Government under the 4[Andhra (Andhra Area)
Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948, ]
the ryot in respect of the land in which he has a permanent
right of occupancy of the land holder in respect of his
private land;
3. Inserted by Act No.17 of 2017.
4. Andhra Area Act.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 3
(2) in the case of land situate in an estate taken over
by the Government under the 5[Andhra (Andhra Area)
Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948, ]
the person entitled to a ryotwari patta in respect of the land;
(3) in the case of inam land not forming part of an
estate the person entitled to a ryotwari patta in respect of
the land;
(4) a protected tenant under 6the Telangana Tenancy
and Agricultural Lands Act, 1950 who has been personally
cultivating the land under his protected tenancy at the time
of donation, in respect of the right possessed by him in the
land;
(k) ‘prescribed’ means prescribed by rules made under
this Act;
(l) ‘resident’ in relation to the local area of any district
means a person who is ordinarily resident in that local area;
7[(la) ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary appointed to the
Board under the Act;
(lb) ‘State’ means the State of Telangana;]
(m) ‘Tahsildar’ means the Tahsildar and includes the
Deputy Tahsildar in independent charge of a taluk or sub -
taluk, within whose jurisdiction the land or a part thereof is
situate;
5. Andhra Area Act.
6. Adapted vide. the Telangana Adaptatio n of Laws (No.2) Order, 2016
issued in G.O.Ms.No.46, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016.
7. Inserted by Act No.17 of 2017.
4 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
(n) ‘Telangana Area’ means the territories specified in
sub-section (1) of section 3 of 8[the Andhra Pradesh
Reorganization Act, 2014;]
(o) ‘village’ means a village registered as such in the
revenue accounts and includes,-
(1) a hamlet for which separate revenue records are
maintained;
(2) a hamlet, the residents of which own lands in a
block comprising not less than five hundred acres including
lands reserved for any communal purpose; or
(3) a hamlet which is declared by the Government to
be a village for purposes of this Act.
CHAPTER II
CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD
3. The Government shall, by notification in the 9Telangana
Gazette constitute a Board by the name of the 9Telangana
Bhoodan Yagna Board which shall be a body corporate
having perpetual succession and a common seal with
power to enter into contracts and to acquire, hold and
dispose of property and which may, by the said name, sue
or be sued.
4. 8[(1) The Board shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice-
Chairman and such number of other members as may be
considered necessary, to be appointed, by notification, by
the Government.]
8. Substituted by Act No.17 of 2017.
9. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Constitution and
incorporation of
the Board.
Composition of
the Board.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 5
(2) The appointment of the Chairman, Vice -Chairman
and the other members of the Board shall take effect from
the date on which it is notified in the 10Telangana Gazette.
11[4A. There shall be appointed,-
(i) Secretary; and
(ii) other members of staff to assist the Secretary and
the Board, on such terms and conditions as may be
prescribed.]
5. Every member of the Board, including the Chairman
and Vice-Chairman shall hold office for a term of four years
from the date of notification of his appointment, and shall be
eligible for re-appointment.
6. The Chairman, Vice -Chairman or any other member of
the Board may resign his office by giving notice in writing to
the Secretary to Government in the administrative
department concerned and on the resignation being
accepted by the Government, he shall be deemed to have
vacated his office. The acceptance of every resignation shall
be pub lished in the 10Telangana Gazette as soon as
possible, thereafter.
7. (1) The Government, may, by order, remove the
Chairman, Vice-Chairman or any other member of the Board
after giving him an opportunity to make any representation
which he may wish to make, if they are satisfied that he-
(a) has become of unsound mind;
10. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
11. Section 4A with marginal heading inserted by Act No.17 of 2017.
Resignation of
Chairman, Vice-
Chairman or other
member.
Removal of
Chairman or other
member.
Term of Office.
Secretary and
other members of
the staff.
6 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
(b) has applied to be adjudicated or has been
adjudicated an insolvent;
(c) has been sentenced by a criminal court for an
offence involving moral turpitude , such sentence not having
been reversed;
(d) has become incapable of acting as Chairman,
Vice-Chairman or member or has so abused his position or
powers vested in him as Chairman, Vice -Chairman or
member; or
(e) has failed, without excuse sufficient in the opinion
of the Board, to attend three con secutive meetings of the
Board and the Board has recommended his removal.
(2) Every order of removal under sub -section (1) shall,
as soon as possible after it is made, be published in the
12Telangana Gazette.
8. Any casual vacancy in the office of the Chairman, Vice -
Chairman or any other member of the Board shall, as soon
as may be, after the occurrence of such vacancy be filled by
appointment of another person and the Chairman, Vice -
Chairman or other member so appoin ted shall enter upon
office forthwith but shall hold office only for the residue of
the term of his predecessor.
9. (1) Where the Government are satisfied that-
(a) the Board has failed without reasonable cause or
excuse to discharge the duties, or to perform the functions,
imposed on, or assigned to, it by or under this Act or has
exceeded or abused powers; or
12. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Filling of casual
vacancies.
Dissolution and
reconstitution of
the Board.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 7
(b) circumstances have arise n in which the Board is,
or may be, unable to discharge the duties, or to perform the
functions, imposed on, or assigned to , it by or under this
Act; or
(c) it is otherwise expedient so to do;
they may, by notification in the 13Telangana Gazette direct
that the Board be dissolved with effect from a specified date
and reconstitute under section 3 either immediately 14[or
within one year from the date of dissolution , and the
Government may, extend the time for such period not
exceeding three years.]
(2) Before directing the dissolution of the Board under
sub-section (1), the Government shall communicate to the
Board the grounds on which they propose to do so, fix a
reasonable period for the Board to show cause against the
proposal and consider its explanation and objections, if any.
(3) On the date fixed for the dissolution of the Board
under sub -section (1), all its members including the
Chairman and Vice -Chairman shall be deemed to have
vacated their offices.
(4) During the interval, if any, between the dissolution
and the reconstitution of the Board the Government may, by
order, appoint any officer or authority to exercise the powers
and discharge the duties of the Board, subject to such
restrictions and limitations as may be specified in the order.
(5) Where the Board is dissolved under this section, the
Government, until the date of the reconstitution thereof, and
13. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Re venue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
14. Substituted by Act No.17 of 2017.
8 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
the reconstituted Board thereafter, shall be entitled to all the
assets and be subject to all the liabilities of the Board.
10. No act of the Board or of any person acting as the
Chairman, Vice -Chairman or a member thereof shall be
deemed to be invalid by reason only of a defect in the
constitution of the Board or of such act having been done
during the period of any vacancy in the office of the
Chairman, Vice-Chairman or member or on the ground that
the Chairman, Vice -Chairman or member of the Board was
not entitled to hold or to continue in such office.
11. (1) The Board may, for any district or part thereof,
constitute a Local Committee consisting of a Chairman,
Vice-Chairman and three other members to be appointed by
the Board from amongst the residents of the area
concerned. The appointment of such Chairman, Vice -
Chairman and the other members shall be for a period of
four years. Such appointment shall take effect from the date
of notification in the 15Telangana Gazette.
(2) The Board may, with the approval of the
Government and subject to such restrictions and limitations
as it may impose, authorise any Local Committee
constituted under sub -section (1) to exercise in the area for
which such Local Committee is constituted, all or any of the
duties, powers or functions vested in the Board by or under
this Act and the Board may in like manner withdraw such
authorisation.
(3) The provisions of sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 shall
apply to a Local Committee as they apply to the Board
subject to the modification that the powers exercisable by,
and the duties imposed on, the Government under the said
15. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Acts of the Board,
etc. not to be
invalidated by
informality.
Local
Committees.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 9
sections shall, in relation to a Local Committee, be
exercised and discharged by the Board:
Provided that the dissolution or reconstitution of a
Local committee shall be subject to the prior approval of the
Government:
Provided further that where the Government are
satisfied that the removal of the Chairman, Vice -Chairman or
a member of a Local Committee or the dissolution of a Local
Committee is neces sary and that the Board has failed to
take action in that regard, the Government may, after
consulting the Board, remove such Chairman, Vice -
Chairman or member or dissolve and reconstitute such
Local Committee and the provisions of sections 7 and 9
shall, as for as may be, apply therefor.
12. (1) Any owner may, by declaration made in the
prescribed manner donate his land for Bhoodan Yagna or
for Gramdan:
Provided that—
(a) where a land is owned jointly by two or more
persons, the donation of such land shall not be valid unless
the declaration is signed by all such joint owners; and
(b) a declaration made by, or on behalf of a person
who has not completed the age of 21 yea rs shall not be
valid.
(2) Every declaration made under sub -section (1) shall
be filed with the Tahsildar.
Donation of land.
10 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
13. (1) Every declaration filed under sub -section (2) of
section 12 shall, as soon as possible, be published in the
16Telangana Gazette and in such other manner as may be
prescribed, together with a notice requiring all persons
interested to submit their objection s, if any, in writing to the
Tahsildar within two months from the date of the publication
of the declaration in the Gazette.
(2) A copy of the declaration together with the notice
referred to in sub -section (1), shall also be served in the
prescribed manner by the Tahsildar on each of the person
known or believed to be interested in the land specified in
the declaration, so far as such service may be practicable.
(3) On the expiry of the period of two months specified
in sub-section (1) and after giving notice to the Board and
the Local Committee concerned, and to the donor and the
person, if any, who has filed objections, the Tahsildar shall
proceed to investigate as to the right, title and interests of
the donor in respect of the land donated by him and
consider all the objections filed under sub -section (1), and
thereafter he may by an order either accept the declaration
or reject it for any of the reasons mentioned in sub -section
(6).
(4) Where the Tahsildar accepts the declaration and if it
is confirmed or deemed to have been confirmed by the
Board under sub-section (6), the donor shall deliver
possession of the land to the Board; and thereupon, the
donation of the land shall, subject to any order in an appeal
under section 28 or any decision in a suit under section 29
or in a further proceeding in relation to such suit, be
irrevocable and all the rights, title and interest of the donor
16. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Declarations filed
under section12.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 11
in such land shall stand transferred to, and vest in, the
Board.
(5) Every order accepting a declaration un der sub -
section (3) which is confirmed or deemed to have been
confirmed by the Board under sub -section (6) shall be
published in the 17Telangana Gazette.
(6) The Board may at any time within two months from
the date of the order passed by the Tahsildar under sub -
section (3), by order confirm any declaration accepted by
the Tahsildar, or reject it for any of the following reasons,
namely:—
(i) that there are encumbrances on the land;
(ii) that there are arrears of land revenue or rent due
on the land;
(iii) that the donor is not the owner of the land or is
otherwise not competent to make the donation; or
(iv) that there is any other good or sufficient reason:
Provided that if no order is passed by the Board
rejecting any declaration accepted by the Tahsildar within
the said period of two months, it shall be deemed that the
declaration has been confirmed by the Board.
(7) Where a declaration is rejected under this section or
in an appeal under section 28 or in a suit under section 29
or in a further proceeding in relation to such suit, the
donation shall stand cancelled and the donor shall be
deemed to continue to have all the rights, title and interest
17. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
12 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
as well as all the liabilities in respect of such land as if no
such declaration was ever made.
14. (1) The Board may, after taking into consideration the
wishes of the donor as far as possible, grant any land which
has vested in it to a landless poor person who is able and
willing to cultivate the land, or to the Government or a local
authority, for a community purpose 18[and also to poor
persons and weaker sections for the purpose of house
sites]. The grantee of the land shall then acquire therein
such rights and be subject to such liabilities, conditions ,
restrictions and limitations, as may be prescribed.
(2) No permanent grant of land shall be made under
sub-section (1) until three months have expired fro m the
date of the order confirm ing the declaration by the Board or
from the date when the Board shall be deemed to have
confirmed the declaration or where an appeal is preferred
under section 28 or a suit is instituted under section 29, until
such appeal or the suit or any further proceeding in relation
thereto, is finally disposed of upholding such declaration.
(3) The Board may take such steps for the temporary
management of the lands vested in it as it thinks fit in
accordance with the rules made in this behalf, until they are
disposed of under this Act.
15. (1) The Board shall prepare a draft of a list of all the
lands in the territories of the State of 19Telangana other than
those in the 19Telangana area which have been donated and
accepted for the purposes of Bhoodan Yagna or Gramdan
prior to the commencement of this Act showing therein—
18. Inserted by Act No.17 of 2017.
19. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Grant of land by
the Board.
Preparation of list
of lands donated
prior to
commencement
of this Act.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 13
(a) the area, description and other particulars of the
land;
(b) the name and address of the donor;
(c) the date of the donation;
(d) the nature of the interest of the donor in the land;
(e) where the land was granted to any person in
pursuance of Bhoodan Yagna or Gramdan, the name and
address of the grantee and the date of the grant; and
(f) such, other particulars as may be prescribed.
(2) The draft list prepar ed under sub -section (1) shall
be published in the 20Telangana Gazette and in such other
manner as may be prescribed, together with a notice
requiring all persons interested to submit their objections, if
any, in writing to the Board within two months from the date
of publication of the draft list in the 20Telangana Gazette.
(3) On the expiry of the period of two months specified
in sub -section (2), the Board shall after considering the
objections filed under that sub -section and after holding
such inquiry as it deems fit finalize the draft list with or
without modifications.
(4) The list so finalized by the Board under sub -section
(3) shall be published in the 20Telangana Gazette, and on
such publication-
(a) the rights, title and interest of the donor in such
land shall with effect from the date of do nation and subject
20. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, date d
05.07.2014.
14 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
to any decision in a suit under section 29 or in a further
proceeding in relation to such suit, be deemed to stand
transferred to, and vest in the Board as if declaration has
been duly filed and confirmed in respect thereto under, and
in accordance, with the provisions of sections 12 and 13;
and
(b) where such land, in pursuance of Bhoodan Yagna
or Gramdan was granted to any person, it shall, with effect
from the date of the grant, and subject to any decision in a
suit under section 29 or in a further proceeding in relation to
such suit, be deemed to have been granted to him under,
and in accordance with, the provisions of section 14.
16. (1) The Board shall have its own Fund called the
21Telangana Bhoodan Yagna Board Fund; and all moneys
which may, from time to time, be paid to it by the Central
Government or State Government or any local authority or
any person shall be carried to the Fund and all payments by
the Board shall be made therefrom.
(2) All moneys belonging to the Fund shall be
deposited in such banks or invested in such manner as
may, subject to the approval of the Government, be decided
by the Board.
(3) The Board may spend such moneys as it thinks fit
for performing functions under this Act, and such moneys
shall be treated as expenditure payable out of the Fund of
the Board.
(4) The Board may accept any land in exchange for the
land donated in pursuance of Bhoodan Yagna or Gramdan.
21. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Fund and
property of the
Board.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 15
(5) All properties, funds and other asset s received by,
or vested in, the Board shall be held and applied by it
subject to the provisions, and for purposes, of this Act.
CHAPTER III
CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GRAM
SABHA
17. (1) Where, in a village:
(a) the extent of lands donated for Bhoodan Yagna or
Gramdan in respect of which declarations filed and deemed
to have been filed under section 12 have been confirmed
and deemed to have been confirmed is not less than fifty -
one per cent of the total extent of lands under private
ownership in that village;
(b) the number of persons whose declarations have
been so confirmed is not less than seventy -five per cent of
the total number of persons owning lands and residing in
the village; and
(c) not less than seventy -five per cent of the persons
who have completed the age of twenty -one years and who
are residing in the village have declared in the prescribed
form and manner their desire to part icipate in the Gramdan
movement;
(d) the Government may, on the recommendation of
the Board, declare by notification in the 22Telangana
Gazette, that village to be a Gramdan village with effect from
the date specified in such notification.
22. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Declaration of a
village as
Gramadan village
and constitution
of Gram Sabha.
16 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
(2) As soon as may be after the publication of the
notification under sub -section (1), there shall be constituted
for the Gramdan Village specified in the notification, a Gram
Sabha, and every person who has completed the age of
twenty one years who, either has donat ed any land for
Bhoodan Yagna or Gramdan or who owns any land or
house or whose name is included in the electoral roll of that
village under 23[the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 1994],
shall be a member of such Sabha:
Provided that a person shall be disqualified for being a
member such Sabha if he is not a citizen of India or is of
unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent
court.
(3) The Gram Sabha shall be a body corporate having
perpetual succession and a common seal with power to
enter i nto contracts, and to acquire, hold and dispose of
property and which may, by the said name, sue or be sued.
(4) The Board shall cause to be prepared and
published in the prescribed manner a list of the names of
members of each Gram Sabha. The Gram Sabha may, from
time to time, amend the list for the purpose of bringing it
upto-date and a copy of every such amendment shall be
sent to the Board which shall cause it to be published in the
prescribed manner. Every such list and the amendments
thereto publish ed under this sub -section shall be final and
shall not be questioned in any court of law.
(5) With effect from the date on which the list of
members of the Gram Sabha is first published in the
24Telangana Gazette, all the lands in the Gramdan Village
23. Substituted by Act No.17 of 2017 and now see the Telangana
Panchayat Raj Act, 2018 (Act No.5 of 2018).
24. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 17
which have vested in the Board under this Act, shall stand
transferred to and vest in, the Gram Sabha. Any land in the
Gramdan Village which vests in the Board by way of
donation after the date aforesaid shall also stand transferred
to, and vest in, the Gram S abha with effect from the date on
which it vested in the Board.
(6) (a) There shall be a President and a Vice -President
for each Gram Sabha who shall be elected from among
themselves by the members of Gram Sabha in the manner
prescribed.
(b) The President or Vice -president shall hold office
for a period of four years from the date of his election.
(c) The President may resign his office by giving
notice in writing to the Gram Sabha and on the resignation
being accepted by the Gram Sabha, he shall be deemed to
have vacated his office.
(d) The Vice-President may resign his office by giving
notice in writing to the president and he shall be deemed to
have vacated his office with effect on and from the date on
which the notice was received by the president.
(e) The Vice -President shall exercise such powers
and perform such functions of the president as the president
may, from time to time, delegate to him in writing.
(f) Any casual vacancy, in the office of the president
or vice-president shall, as soon as may be after the
occurrence of such vacancy be filled by the election of
another person from among themselves by the members of
Gram Sabha and the president or the vice -president so
elected shall enter upon office forthwith but shall hold office
only for the residue of the term of his predecessor.
18 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
18. (1) Any person who is, or who is deemed to have been,
granted land by the Board under section 14 or section 15, or
any person to whom land donated for the purpose of
Bhoodan Yagna or Gramdan was granted in the
25Telangana area before the commencement of this Act,
may by a declaration made in the prescribed ma nner,
donate that land to the Gram Sabha established for the
village in which such land is situate.
(2) Where a declaration made under sub -section (1) is
confirmed by the Board, the donation of the land, shall,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in section 14 or
section 15, be irrevocable and all the rights, title and interest
of the donor in such land shall stand transferred to, and vest
in, the Gram Sabha.
19. (1) No Gram Sabha shall, without the previous sanction
of the Government alienate or transfer any land vested in it
or any right or interest therein:
Provided that the Gram Sabha may, with the previous
sanction of the District Collector exchange lands for the
purpose of securing consolidation of holding or hypothecate
the lands vested in it in favour of the Government or a Co -
operative Society or Land Mortgage Bank for the purpose of
securing a loan.
(2) Any transaction made in contravention of sub -
section (1) shall be null and void.
20. (1) The Gram Sabha may, —
(a) arrange for the cultivation of all the lands vested in it
either by itself or by allotting to the residents of the village,
25. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Management of
the lands vested
in Gram Sabha.
Power of grantee
of land to donate
land to Gram
Sabha.
Power of Gram
Sabha to transfer
and alienate land.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 19
whether jointly or individually, on such terms and conditions
as it thinks fit;
(b) apportion the produce or income of the lands
cultivated jointly;
(c) set apart lands for the general good of the
community as may be specified in the rules;
(d) make advances either in kind or in cash to persons
to whom lands are allotted and recover these advances;
(e) carry out measures for the improvement of the
methods of cultivation, the reclamation of waste lands and
such other purposes as may be specified in the rules.
21. No act of a Gram Sabha or any committee thereof shall
be deemed to be invalid by reason only of defect in the
constitution of the Gram Sabha or the Committee.
22. The allotment of land in a Gramdan Village for
cultivation shall be subject to the following conditions,
namely:—
(a) the allottee shall, unless specifically exempted by
the Gram Sabha, cultivate the land personally;
(b) the allottee shall not transfer his interest in the land
allotted, but such interest shall be heritable.
Explanation.—For the purpose of this sub -section and
section 24, land shall not be deemed to be cultivated
personally unless the person himself or any me mber of his
family puts in such minimum labour on the land as may be
laid down by the regulations made by the Gram Sabha.
Acts of Gram
Sabha or its
committee not to
be invalidated by
informality, etc.
Allotment of land
by Gram Sabha.
20 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
23. (1) Any person aggrieved by an order of allotment of
land made by a Gram Sabha may make an application to
the Gram Sabha within sixty days from the date of such
order for arbitration by an Arbitration Board. On receipt of
such application the Gram Sabha shall refer the dispute to
arbitration.
(2) An Arbitration Board under sub -section (1) s hall
consist of,—
(i) one member nominated by the applicant;
(ii) one member nominated by the Gram Sabha; and
(iii) one member nominated jointly by the members
referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) but if there is no agreement
in that regard, one member to be appointed by the
Tahsildar.
(3) The decision of the Arbitrati on Board shall be final
and binding on the parties.
24. 26[The Tahsildar may, on receipt of a
complaint/application made by any person or suo -motu,
after giving an opportunity of making a representation,
evict,-
(a) any allottee from the land, if the individual fails,
without sufficient cause, to cultivate the land personally or
the land is in possession of a person other than the allottee,
during a period of two consecutive agricultural years; or
(b) any person, other than the allottee, from the house
site/constructed building on the Bhoodan Land, if such
26. Substituted by Act No.17 of 2017.
Eviction of
allottee.
Disputes
regarding
allotment of land.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 21
house site/house is in his possession, for a period of two
years.]
Explanation.—In this section agricultural year means the
year commencing on the 1st day of June or such other date
as may be notified by the Government in the 27Telangana
Gazette in respect of any locality having regard to the usage
or custom of the locality for the commencement of
agricultural operations.
28[24-A. (1) Whenever the Secretary of the Board, on receipt
of any complaint or suo-motu, considers that there has been
an encroachment on any land, building, space or other
property belonging to the Board and registered as such
under this Act, he shall cause to be served upon the
encroacher a notice in the manner prescribed specifying the
particulars of the encroachment, calling upon him to sho w
cause as to why an order requiring him to remove the
encroachment before a date specified in such notice,
should not be made.
(2) If, after considering the objections received during
the period specified in the notice, and after conducting an
inquiry in such manner as may be prescribed, the Secretary
is satisfied that the property in question is Bhoodan
land/property, he may by an order, require the encroacher
to remove such encroachment and deliver possession of the
land, building, space or other prope rty encroached to the
Board.
24-B. Where the person, ordered under sub -section (2) of
section 24 -A or covered under rule 9 (vii) of the Bhoodan
and Gramdan Rules, 1965, omi ts or fails to remove such
27. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
28. Sections 24-A, 24-B, 24-C and 24-D with marginal headings inserted
by Act No.17 of 2017.
Removal of
encroachment
from Telangana
Bhoodan Yagna
Board property.
Enforcement of
orders made
under section
24-A.
22 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
encroachment within the time specified in the order or, as
the case may be, fails to vacate the land, building, space or
other property to which the order relates, the Secretary of
the Board may apply to the Tahsildar within the local limits
of whose jurisdicti on the land, building, space or other
property is situated, for evicting the encroacher, and, there
upon, the Tahsildar shall make an order directing the
encroacher to remove the encroachment or as the case may
be vacate the land, building, space or other property. The
Tahsildar shall evict the encroachment from the land,
building, space or other property, by taking such police
assistance as may be necessary for the purpose and deliver
the possession thereof to the Secretary of the Board.
24-C. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, the
Board may, examine, review, reconsider an d enquire into
any illegal allotments made in favour of any person or
institution or otherwise, after giving notice to the person or
institution concerned, pass appropriate orders.
24-D. Whenever the land allotted under this Act comes
within the urban area or ceases to be agricultural land, the
said land will vest with the Board and the Board may use
such land for non-agricultural purposes, as deemed fit.]
25. Every Gram Sabha shall have a fund into which shall
be credited all sums and moneys received by such Sabha
including the proceeds of any cultivation undertaken by it
and the sums collected from the persons to whom the lands
have been allotted by the Sabha. The fund shall be
administered by the Gram Sabha i n accordance with the
provisions of this Act, the rules and the regulations made
thereunder.
Funds of Gram
Sabha.
Vesting of land
with the Board
and its use.
Review and
cancellation of
illegal allotments.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 23
26. The land vesting in a Gram Sabha shall not be liable to
attachment or sale in execution of any decree or order
passed by a civil or revenue court in respect of an
unsecured debt.
27. (1) If at any time, the Government are of opinion, that a
Gram Sabha—
(a) is not competent to perform, or persistently makes
default in performing, the duties assigned to it by or under
this Act; or
(b) exceeds or abuses the powers assigned to it by
or under this Act; or
(c) is not functioning in a m anner consistent with the
provisions of this Act or the rules framed thereunder; the
Government may, by notification in the 29Telangana Gazette
and stating the reasons therefor, supersede the Gram
Sabha for such period not exceeding one year as may be
specified therein:
Provided that before issuing any such notification, the
Government shall give an opportunity to the Gram Sabha to
show cause why it should not be superseded and shall
consider its explanations and objections, if any.
(2) On the publication of a notification under sub -
section (1) superseding the Gram Sabha,—
(a) the P resident and Vice -President of the Gram
Sabha and the President and the members of all
committees constituted by the Gram Sabha shall as from
the date of notification vacate their offices as such;
29. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Attachment and
sale of lands
vesting in Gram
Sabha.
Supersession of a
Gram Sabha.
24 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
(b) all the powers and duties of the Gram Sabha,
during the period of supersession, be exercised and
performed by such person or persons as the Government
may, from time to time, appoint in this behalf;
(c) all properties vested in the Gram Sabha shall vest
in the Government.
(3) At any time on or before t he expiration of the period
of supersession specified in the notification issued under
sub-section (1), the Government may extend the period of
supersession of a Gram Sabha for such further period not
exceeding one year at a time, as they may consider
necessary, and on the expiration of the period of
supersession either as originally specified or as ex tended,
the Gram Sabha shall re sume its functions and elect its
President and Vice-President and constitute the committees,
in the manner provided in this Act:
Provided that the Government may at any time before
the expiration of the period of supersession by notification
published in the 30Telangana Gazette reduce the period of
supersession specified in the notification issued under sub -
section (1).
(4) The income derived from the Gramdan Village
during the period of supersession, shall first be ut ilized
towards the cost of mana gement during the period of
supersession and liquidation of liabilities of the Gram Sabha
and the balance , if any, shall be credited to the fund of the
Gram Sabha.
30. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Reven ue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 25
CHAPTER IV
MISCELLANEOUS
28. Against an order passed by the Tahsildar under sub -
section (3) of section 13 an appeal shall lie to the Revenue
Divisional Officer concerned within thirty days from the date
of the order.
29. Any person whose interests are affected as result of the
donation of any land for the purpose of Bhoodan Yagna or
Gramdan whether before or after the commencement of this
Act, may institute a suit in a civil court having jurisdiction—
(a) in the case of land donated before the
commencement of this Act, within three months from the
date of publication of the list under sub -section (4) of
section 15;
(b) in the case of land donated after the
commencement of this Act, within three months from the
date of publication of the order of the Tahsildar under
section 13, or where an appeal is filed under section 28
within three months from the date of the order passed in the
appeal:
Provided that a p erson who had not filed objection
under section 13 and who was not present or represented in
the proceedings before the Tahsildar or the Revenue
Divisional Officer under section 13 or section 28, may
institute a suit within three months from the date of
publication of the order under sub-section (5) of section 13.
30. No person to whom any land is granted by the Board
or is allotted by a Gram Sabha under this Act shall be
deemed to be a tenant in respect of such land for the
purpose of any law relating to tenancy for the time being in
force.
Appeal.
Grantee or
allottee of land not
to be a tenant.
Filing of suits.
26 [Act No. 13 of 1965]
31. Every declaration and any grant or allotment of land
made or deemed to have been made under this Act shall
be, and be deemed always to have been, exempt from the
payment of fee for encumbrance certificate, stamp duty,
registration fee and fee for the attestation of power of
attorney under sub -section (2) of section 33 of the Indian
Registration Act, 1908.
32. The provisions of this Act shall have effect
notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in
any other law for the time being in force.
33. (1) The Board may, with the previous sanction of the
Government, by notification in the 31Telangana Gazette
make regulations not inconsistent with this Act and the rules
made thereunder, to provide for the conduct of its business
and all other matters for which provision is necessary and
expedient for the purpose of enabling it to discharge its
functions under this Act.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, and the rules, if
any, made thereunder, every Gram Sabha may make
regulations to carry -out the purposes of this Act and in
particular for the conduct of business, election of office
bearers, appointment of Committees, maintenance of
accounts and the audit thereof, appointment of servants and
the remuneration payable to them, the principles to be
followed in the allotment of land and for the levy of sums for
such allotment, the grounds on which the allottees may be
evicted from the lands, the manner of eviction of the
allottees and any other matter for which provision is
necessary and expedien t for th e purposes of enabling i t to
discharge its functions under this Act.
31. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.11, Revenue (Assn.I) Department, dated
05.07.2014.
Act to over ride
other laws.
Exemption of
stamp duty and
registration fee
etc.
Power to make
regulations.
[Act No. 13 of 1965] 27
34. (1) The Government may, by notification in the
32Telangana Gazette make rules for carrying out all or any of
the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality
of the foregoing power such rules may provide for—
(a) the matters to be taken int o account by the Board
in granting lands toExcerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.