The THE UTTAR PRADESH BHOODAN YAGYA ACT, 1952

530 
 
 UTTAR PRADESH BHOODAN YAGNA  ACT, 19521 
 
[U. P. Act No. 10 of 1953] 
 
Amended by  
U. P. Act No. 10 of 1975 
U. P. Act No. 08 of 1977 
U. P. Act No. 23 of 1979 
[Passed in Hindi by the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on 
December 24, 1952 and by the Uttar Prade sh Legislative  Council on 
January 5, 1953. 
Received the assent of the President on February 27, 1953, 
under Article 201 of the Constitution of India and was published in the 
Uttar Pradesh Gazette Extraordinary, dated March 5, 1953.] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AN 
ACT 
to facilitate donation and settlement of lands in connection with 
the Bhoodan Yagna initiated by Sri Acharaya Vinoba Bhave.    
WHEREAS it is expedient to facilitate the donation of lands in 
connection with the Bhoodan Yagna initiated by Sri Vinoba Bhave and 
to provide for the setting of such lands on the landless persons :—            
It is hereby enacted as follows :—  
Short title, 
extent and 
commencement 
1. (1) This Act may be called the U. P. Bhoodan Yagna Act, 
1952. 
(2) It extends to the whole of the Uttar Pradesh. 
(3) It shall come into force at once.3 
Definitions  2. In this Act unless there is anything repugnant in the subject 
or context— 
(a) “Bhoodan Yagna” means the movement initiated by  
Sri Acharaya Vinoba Bhave for acquisition of land through 
voluntary gifts with a view to distribute it to landless persons; 
 (b) “holding” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it 
in the U. P. Tenancy Act, 1939;  
(c)  “owner” means, as respects any land— 
(i) in areas where the rights of intermediaries have 
vested in the State Government under section 4 of the U. P 
Zamindari Abolition and L and Reforms Act, 1950 , its 
[bhumidhar or Government Lessee]2 as the case may be ; 
(ii) in areas where the U. P. Tenancy Act, 1939, is in 
force for the time being, its landlord and also includes a 
rent-free grantee, a grantee at a favo urable rate of rent, a  
grove-holder and a tenant mentioned in clauses (a) to (f) of 
section 21 of the said Act ;   
——————————————————————————————————————————  
1.  For  S. O. R. see Gazette Extraordinary dated November,  21, 1952. 
2.  Sub. by s. 71 of  U. P. Act No. 8 of 1977. 
3. Omitted for transferred territories under s. 3 of U.P. Act No. 52 of 1976. 

[Uttar Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1952] 
532 
 
  (iii) in other  areas, its proprietors and also includes 
a tenant having a heritable and transferable interest in 
land ; 
(d)  “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under 
this Act ; 
(e) “State Government” means the Government of Uttar 
Pradesh; 
(f)  words and expressions not defined in this Act shall 
have the meaning assigned to them—  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(i) in areas referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause (c) in 
the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 ; 
(ii) in areas referred to in sub -clause (ii) of the said 
clause in the U. P. Tenancy Act, 1939 ; 
(iii) in other areas, in the law relating to land tenure 
applicable to the land. 
Establishment 
and 
incorporation of 
the Bhoodan 
Yagna 
Committee   
3. There shall be established a Bhoodan Yagna Committee for 
Uttar Pradesh (hereinafter called the Committee) having perpetual 
succession which shall be a body corporate vested with the capacity of 
suing and being sued  in its corp orate names acquiring, holding, 
administering and transferring property, both movable and immovable 
and of entering into contracts.   
Constitution of 
Committee 
4. (1) The Committee shall consist o f the following members, 
namely 
(a) the Chairman to be nomi nated by the [State 
Government]1.  
(b) four or more but not exceeding nine members to be 
nominated by the [State Government]1 ; 
(2) [ * * * * ]2  
(3) The nomination [* * * ] 3  of the Chairman and of the 
members shall be notified in the Gazette in the manner prescribed. 
(4) The Chairman and members of the C ommittee shall hold 
office for four years from the date of the notification under sub -
section (3), and shall be eligible for re-appointment or re-nomination.  
Dissolution of 
the Committee  
5.  (1) If at any time the State Government is satisfied that— 
(a)  the Committee has failed without reasonable cause or 
excuse to discharge duties or to perform functions imposed or 
assigned by or under this Act, 
(b)  circumstances have so arisen that the C ommittee is 
rendered unable or may be rendered unable to discharge 
duties or to perform functions imposed or assigned by or 
under this Act, or  
 
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1.  Subs. by sect.  2  (a)  of  U. P. Act  No. 23  of  1979. 
2.  Del. by sect.  2  (b)  ibid.  
3.  Del. by sect.  2  (c)  ibid. 

[Uttar Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1952] 
534 
 (c) it is oth erwise expedient or necessary to d issolve the 
Committee, it may by notification in the official Gazette— 
(i) dissolve the Committee for the period to be 
specified ; 
(ii) direct the reconstitution of the Committee in 
accordance with the provisions of sectio n 4 of this Act ; 
and  
(iii) declare that the duties, powers and functions of 
the Committee under this Act shall for the period for 
which it has been dissolved be discharged, exercised and 
performed by such person or authority and subject to 
such restrictions as may be specified therein.   
 (2) The State Government may make such incidental and 
consequential provisions as may appear to be necessary for this 
purpose.  
Casual 
vacancies and 
other matters 
about the 
Committee 
6. The method of filling up casual vacancies in the Committee, 
procedure of its working and the conduct of its business shall be 
such as may be prescribed.   
Duties of the 
Committee 
7.   (1) It shall be the duty of the Committee to administer all 
lands vested in it for the benefit of the Bhoodan Yagna. 
(2) The Committee shall for the purposes of Bhoodan Yagna 
perform such other functions and possess such other powers as may 
be necessary in respect of such land.   
Donation of land 
to Bhoodan 
Yagna 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.  (1) Notwithstanding anything co ntained in any law for the 
time being in force, any person, being the owner of land, may donate 
and grant such land to the “Bhoodan Yagna” by a declaration in 
writing in that behalf (hereinafter called the Bhoodan declaration) in 
the manner prescribed.  
(2) The B hoodan declaration shall be fil ed with the Tahsildar 
as soon as it is made.    
Publication of 
and 
investigation 
upon the 
declaration 
9. Upon receipt of the Bhoodan declaration the Tahsildar 
shall— 
(a) publish the same for objections, and 
[(aa) give notice of the same to the concerned Gaon Sabha.]1 
(b) make a summary inquiry as to the right title, and interest 
of the donor in such land. 
Donor 
competent to 
donate land 
 
 
 
 
10.  Notwithstanding anything contained in the U. P.  
Zamindari Abolition and  Land Reforms Act, 1950 , U. P. Tenancy Act,  
1939, or any other law relating to land tenure as may be applicable, 
an owner shall be competent for purposes of this Act to donate the 
land held by him as such to the Bhoodan Yagna. 
Filing, hearing 
and disposal of 
objections 
11.  (1) any person whose interest are affected by the Bhoodan 
declaration made under section 8 may, within  thirty days of the 
publication of the declaration, file objections on the same before the 
Tahsildar. 
——————————————————————————————————————————  
1.  Ins. by sec. 2 of   U. P.  Act  No. 10, 1975. 

[Uttar Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1952] 
536 
 
 (2) The Tahsildar shall registe r every such objection and shall 
fix a date of hearing, of which notice shall be given  to the declarant, 
the objector and [the concerned Gaon Sabha].1 
(3) on the date of the hearing or any other date to which it may 
be postponed, the Tahsildar shall proceed to investigate and dispose of 
the objection and shall subject to the provisions of section 12— 
    (a) either confirm the Bhoodan declaration, or  
    (b) supersede the same.  
(4) If the Tahsildar confirms the Bhoodan declaration then 
notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in 
force, all the rights title and interest o f the owner in such land shall 
stand transferred to and vest in the Bhoodan Committee fo r purposes 
of the Bhoodan Yagna: 
Provided that no Land revenue shall be payable in respect of 
the land for a period of three years commencing from the first day of 
July next following the date of confirmation where such land was 
partikadeem or banjar on the date of donation. 
 (5) Where the Bhoodan declaration is superseded by the 
Tahsildar under sub-section (3) the donation shall stand cancelled and 
the owner shall be d eemed to continue to have all his right, interests 
and title in such donation was made. 
[(6) "Any person aggrieved by an order of the Tahsildar under 
this section may, within thirty days from the date of the order, prefer 
an appeal against it to the collec tor and the decision of the collector on 
such appeal shall be final.  
(7) The power to confirm or supersede a Bhoodan declaration 
under this section shall include the power to confirm or supersede the 
same wholly or in part.”]2 
Lands which 
cannot be 
donated 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lands donated 
prior to the 
commencement 
of this Act 
12.  Notwithstanding anything contained in any law an owner 
shall not, for purposes of this Act, be entitled to donate the land falling 
in any of the following classes namely. 
(a) lands whi ch on the date of donation are recorded or by 
usage treated as common pasture land, cremation or burial grounds, 
tank, path-way or threshing floor; and 
(b) land in which the interest of the owner is limited to the life -
time ; 
(c) such other land as the State Government may by notification 
in the Gazette specify. 
13. (1) Where any land has been donated to the Bhoodan Yagna 
prior to the commencement of this Act, the Collector shall prepare a 
list of all such lands other than lands to which the provisions of 
section 12 apply showing therein—    
 (a)  the area and other particulars of the land; 
(b) the name and address of the donor; 
——————————————————————————————————————————  
1.  Sub. by sec. 3  (i) of  U. P. Act No. 10  of  1975. 
2.  Ins.  by sec. 3  (ii)  ibid. 

[Uttar Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1952] 
538 
 (c) date of donation; 
(d) the nature of interest of the donor in the land; 
(e) if the land has already been granted to any person in 
pursuance of the Bhoodan Yagna, the name and address of the 
person to whom the land has been granted  (he rein after called 
the grantee) ; 
(f) the date of the grant under sub-clause (e) ; and  
(g) such other particulars as may be prescribed. 
 (2) The list so prepare shall be published in the manner 
prescribed. 
(3) Upon the publication of the list under sub -section (2) and 
notwithstanding anything in any law to the contrary—  
(a) the right, title and interest of the donor in such land shall 
with effect from the date of donation be deemed to stand 
transferred to and vest in the Bhoodan Yagna Committee as if a 
Bhoodan Yagna declaration had been duly made and confirmed 
in respect thereto under and in accordance with section 8 and 
sub-section (3) of section 11 ; 
(b) where such land has in pursuance of Bhoodan Yagna 
been granted to any person it shall with effect fro m the date of 
grant be deemed further t o have been granted to the grantee 
under and in accordance with the provisions of section 14. 
Grant of land 
to landless 
persons 
14.  1[(1)]  The committee or such other authority or person as 
the Committee with the approval of the State Government, specify either 
generally or in respect of any area, may, in the manner prescribed, grant 
lands which have vested in it to the [landless agricultural labo urers]2, 
and the grantee of the land shall— 
(i) where the land is situ ate in any state which has vested 
in the State Government under and in accordance with section 4 
of the U. P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, 
acquire in such land he rights and the liabilities of a [bhumidhar 
with non-transferable rights]3  and 
(ii) where it is situate in any other area, acquire therein 
such rights and liabilities and subject to such conditions, 
restrictions and limitations as may be prescribed and they shall 
have effect, any law to the contrary notwithstanding.  
 [(2) whe re the committee or other authority or person as 
aforesaid fails to grant any land in accordance with sub -section (1) 
within a period of three years from the date of vesting of such land in 
the committee or from the date of commencement of the Uttar Prades h 
Bhoodan Yagna (Amendment) Act, 1975, whichever is later, the Collector 
may himself grant such land to the landless agricultural labo urers in 
the manner prescribed, and thereupon the grantee shall acquire the 
rights and liabilities mentioned in sub -section (1) as if the grant were 
made by the committee itself.   
(3)  [ * * * ]4 
(4) In making grant of land under this section, the committee or 
other authority or person as aforesaid or the Collector, as the Case may 
be, shall observe the following principles :— 
——————————————————————————————————————————  
1.  Re-numbered  by  sec.  4  of  U. P. Act  No.  10  of  1975.  
2.  Subs.  by  Sec. 4  (b)  ibid.    
3.  Subs.  by  Sec. 72  (a)  of  U. P. Act No.  8  of  1977.  
4. Omitted by Sec 72 (b) of U.P. Act No. 8 of 1977. 

[Uttar Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1952] 
540 
 (a) At least fifty per cent of the land available for grant 
shall be granted to persons b elonging to the scheduled Caste , 
scheduled Tribes and persons belonging to the Kol, Pathari, 
Khairwar, Baiga, Dharikar, Panika and G ond Tribes and such 
other tribes as the State Government on the recommendation 
of the Committee may notify in this behalf ; 
(b) The land situate in one village shall, as far as possible, 
be granted to persons residing in that every village. 
Explanation— For the purposes of this section,  the 
expression “landless agricultural labourer” means a person whose 
main source of livelihood is agricultural labour or cultivation and who 
at the relevant time either holds no land or holds land not exceeding 
0.40468564 hectares (one acre) in Uttar Prad esh as a Bhumidhar,  
(***)1 asami or Government lessee”]2 
Grants to be 
made in 
accordance 
with Bhoodan 
Yagna Scheme. 
 
 
Cancellation of 
certain grant 
15.  All grants shall be made as far as may be in accordance 
with the scheme of Bhoodan Yagna. 
 
 
15-A.  (1) The Collector may of his own motion and shall on 
the report of the committee or on the application of any person 
aggrieved by the grant of any land made under section 14, whether 
before or after the commencement of the Uttar Pradesh Bhoodan 
Yagna (Amendment) Act, 1975, inquire into such grant, and if he is 
satisfied that the grant was irregular or was obtained by the grantee 
by misrepresentation  or fraud, he may — 
(i) cancel the grant, and on such cancellation, notwithstanding 
anything contained in section 14 or in any other law for the time being 
in force, the rights, title and interest of the grantee or any person 
claiming through him in such land shall cease, and the land shall 
revert to the committee ; and  
(ii) direct delivery of possession of such l and to the committee 
after ejectment of every person holding or retaining possession thereof, 
and may for that purpose use  or cause to be used such force as may 
be necessary. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exemption 
from stamp 
duty and 
registration. 
(2) Notice of every pr oceeding under sub -section (1) shall be 
given to the committee, and any representation made by the 
committee in relation thereto shall be taken into consideration by the 
Collector.  
(3) No order shall be passed under sub -section (1) except after 
giving an opportunity of being heard to the grantee or any person 
known to the Collector to be claiming under him. 
(4) The order of the Collector passed under sub -section (1) 
shall be final and conclusive.”]3 
16.  The Bhoodan declaration made or deemed to be made 
under section 8 or a grant of land made or deemed to be made under 
section 14 shall be and shall always deemed to have been exempt from 
payment of stamp duty and from registration or attestation under law 
relating to registration and execution of Documents, any law to the 
contrary notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in any 
other law for the time being inforce. 
——————————————————————————————————————————  
1. Omitted  by Sec.  72  of U.P. Act No. 8 of 1977. 
2. Ins.  by  Sec.  4  (b)  of  U. P. Act  No. 10  of  1975. 
3. Ins.  by  Sec.  5  of  U. P. Act  No.  10  of  1975. 

[Uttar Pradesh Bhoodan Yagna Act, 1952] 
542 
Power to 
make rules.  
17.  (1) The state Government may make rules for the purpose of 
carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. 
(2)  Without prejudice to the generality of foregoing powers, such 
rules may provide for— 
(a) the matters relating to the establishment, constitution of 
the committee [and nomina tion of chairman and the members 
thereto]1  
(b) the form of Bhoodan declaration and the manner in 
which it shall be filed ; 
(c) the documents to be filed with the Bhoodan declaration; 
(d) the manner of publication of the Bhoodan declaration; 
(e) the nature , scope and manner of the enquiry under 
section 9 ; 
 (f) the manner of filing the objections and their registration ; 
(g) the fixation of date for hearing the objections; 
(h) manner and mode of service of notices under this Act; 
(i) procedure to be follow ed in hearing and disposal of 
objection under section 11 ; 
(j) the procedure relating to the confirmation or supersession 
of declaration ; 
(k) the matters relating to the grant of land in pursuance of 
section 14 ; and  
(l)  the matters which are to be and may be prescribed.  
 
——————————————————————————————————————————  
1. Subs.  by  Sec.  3  of  U. P. Act  No.  23  of  1979. 

 

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