Andhra Pradesh begins freeing 2 lakh acres of ‘dotted lands’: What are these disputed lands, which will now go to their tillers?

These lands came to be known as “dotted lands’’ because when, during the British era, land ownership surveys and resettlement of land records were taken up, local revenue officials who were tasked with identifying government-owned and privately-owned lands put dots in the ownership column if more than one person claimed ownership, or if ownership could not be clearly established.

These lands were also noted as disputed lands in the resettlement register or land records register. The dots on the land documents indicated their disputed status.

How did these ownership disputes arise?

This could happen if landowners did not leave clear wills passing on land to their heirs or children, and if a dispute arose because more than one heir lay claim over the land. Also, land could be deemed by the government to belong to the state, but was under occupation by private parties.

Some of the land records in question are more than 100 years old, and had been locked up in the prohibited list in and registers. During subsequent surveys, government officials left the ownership column blank indicating their disputed status as per Section 22A of the Registration Act.

So how much land overall are we talking about here?

The state government has so far identified 2,06,171 acres as dotted lands, and has decided to remove them from the prohibited list. Officials said there could be more than 10 lakh acres of dotted lands in the state.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that Nellore district has the largest number of dotted land parcels (43,000 acres), followed by Prakasam district (37,000 acres).

How will this step benefit landowners/farmers?

During the Assembly session held in March, the government introduced a Bill to amend the Revenue Act to grant titles to farmers who have been cultivating dotted lands for more than 12 years. The dots, and entries in land registers, will be removed and these farmers will be given clear land ownership documents. At least 97,000 farmers will get land ownership documents for the 2,06,171 acres of denotified dotted lands.

While these farmers were using the land, they could not procure loans from banks and financial institutions by putting up the land as collateral. Financial institutions do not recognise dotted land documents as clear ownership documents.

With the lands now being taken off the prohibited list, landowners/farmers will get full rights over the lands, and enjoy all usual rights as land owners. More importantly, they can apply for financial assistance for crop support, purchase seeds and fertilisers, and procure farm equipment. The landowners/farmers can also sell the lands or gift to kin or relatives.

Why did the state government take up this exercise?

Officials said that over 1 lakh applications had been received by the Chief Commissioner of Land Ceiling (CCLA) over the past years to resolve dotted land disputes.

In urban areas, dotted lands have been illegally sold and houses have been constructed, which cannot be taxed. With lakhs of acres under dispute, the government also loses on stamp duty revenue. The Chief Minister has said that the registration value of the 2,06,171 acres is over Rs 8,000 crore while the land value is over Rs 20,000 crore.

The CM had earlier promised farmers holding dotted lands that his government would permanently resolve the issue. The exercise to free dotted lands was part of a comprehensive resurvey of lands taken up by the YSRCP government by implementing the YSR Jagananna Saswatha Bhu Hakku and Bhu Raksha scheme. Under the scheme, the government has provided 7,92,238 permanent title deeds to farmers in 2,000 villages in the first phase. The second phase of the programme will take off from next month.

The CM made the official announcement to release the dotted lands from the prohibited list at a public meeting at Kavali in Nellore district last Friday. Officials started the process this week.