The Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954

delhi · 1954

The scanned source for this Act is imperfect — headings or section boundaries may be off. Verify against the official source.

S. 1(I) This Act may be called the DeThi Land Reforms extent and Act, 1954
S. 2Section 2 repeals certain tenancy and land revenue acts in Delhi, except where consistent with the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 3Section 3 defines key terms used throughout the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, including "agricultural year," "economic holding," and "estate."
S. 4Section 4 establishes two classes of landholders: 'Bhumidhar' and 'Asami', defining their respective obligations.
S. 5Every person belonging to any of the following c!as- Bhurnidhar
S. 6Section 6 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, defines who qualifies as an Asami and acquires corresponding rights and liabilities.
S. 7Section 7 terminates individual proprietor rights to certain lands and resources, vesting them in the common assembly.
S. 8(1) All private weHs in or outside holdings, aII tanks, wells, trees grovers and abadis, a!l trees in abadi
S. 9l$x~Ion&ion
S. 10Section 10 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 deems certain tenants and sub-tenants as non-occupancy tenants for land acquisition purposes, except for specific categories of persons.
S. 11Section 11 declares eligible landholders as Bhumidhars for specific types of land under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 12Section 12 outlines the rights and obligations of sub-tenants in land reforms under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 13Section 13 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 declares specified tenants as Bhunidhars, granting them rights and liabilities of Bhunidhars from the act's commencement.
S. 16Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Consequ- law for ths time bcing in force or in any mortp
S. 18Section 18 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 voids contracts that defeat the Act's provisions and allows evicted tenants to regain land.
S. 21Section 21 stays all specified pending land reform proceedings upon the Act's commencement, except for compensation realization.
S. 22Section 22 grants Bhumidhars and Asamis exclusive rights to use their land for agricultural purposes and improvements.
S. 23Section 23 restricts Bhunidhars and Asamis from using land for industrial purposes unless within a designated belt, with possible exceptions.
S. 24Section 24 allows the Deputy Commissioner to declare land used for industry reverting to agriculture, subjecting it to reform provisions and affecting occupants' rights.
S. 25Section mandates Deputy Commissioner to forward sanction or declaration to Sub-Registrar for registration, overriding Indian Registration Act.
S. 26No Bhumidhar or Asami shall make an irnprwe- on lmProve ment on, or detrimental to, any land which is not included men
S. 28Section 28 provides compensation to an Asami for improvements made with permission, except without such permission.
S. 29Section 29 outlines factors for determining compensation for improvements made to land under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 30Section 30 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 mandates courts to assess compensation for improvements before ejecting an Asami, making ejectment conditional if compensation exceeds rent arrears.
S. 31The interest of a B5unidhar shall be transferable subject to the conditions hereinafter contained
S. 32The interest d an Asami shall not be transferable except as expressly permitted by this Act
S. 34Section 34 prohibits Bhurnidhars from mortgaging their land if possession is to be transferred to the mortgagee.
S. 36(1) A lshumidhzr who is- I
S. 38A lease which fails merely to comply with the pro- register the d i m s of section 37 shall not
S. 39Section 39 allows Bhumidhars to exchange land with permission, ensuring no more than a 10% area difference.
S. 41Nothing in section 40 shall affect the amount of the Land re- land revenue assessed on or payable for land so exchanged
S. 42Section 42 mandates ejectment of transferees violating land transfer provisions, with exceptions for revenue officials' actions.
S. 43Section 43 deems transfers of land by Bhumidhars for debt repayment as sales, applying sections 33 and 42.
S. 44Section 44 makes a lessee a purchaser when a Bhumidhar leases out land, applying certain provisions.
S. 45Section 45 voids unauthorized land transfers by Bhumidhars or Asamis, except those exempted by the Chief Commissioner.
S. 47Section 47 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 allows Bhumidhars to bequeath their holdings except to certain family members, with specific will requirements.
S. 49NO Asami shall have the right to beqwzalh by will an his holding or part thereof
S. 50—
S. 51(1) When a Bhuxmidirar cr Asark
S. 52Section 52 outlines the order of succession for male Bhurnidhar or Asami property upon death.
S. 53When a Bhumidhar or Asami
S. 54Section 54 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, states that in the absence of a direct heir, land interest passes to the surviving co-widow or co-tenure holder.
S. 55(1) A Bhumidhar may sue for partition of his of a Bhu- holding
S. 56Section 56 allows a single lawsuit for partitioning multiple jointly-owned land holdings.
S. 57(1) Except as provided in sub-section (3), whenever a holding
S. 58Section 58 mandates the sale of land holdings to co-tenure holders at a prescribed price after a valuation.
S. 59Section 59 allows co-tenure holders to buy land by bidding, with the highest bidder above a set price winning.
S. 60Section 60 mandates the sale of land to the highest bidder if no shareholder offers above a set price, and outlines the procedure for such sales.
S. 62Section 62 allows an Asami to surrender their entire land holding by giving notice to the Gaon Sabha or the land-holder.
S. 63Section 63 mandates that an Asami must apply or give notice before April 1 to avoid paying rent for the next agricultural year after surrendering land.
S. 64(1) W'nere an Asarni has not used his holding for ment
S. 65Rrllere a Bhumidhar, being minor, lunatic or idiot
S. 67Section 67 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 extinguishes a Bhumidhar's interest in land under various conditions including death without heirs, land acquisition, ejection, or lease termination.
S. 68Section 68 outlines conditions under which an Asami's interest in a holding is extinguished.
S. 69(1) The extinction of the right
S. 70The interest of an Asami in his holding shall deter-
S. 71When the interest of a Bhumidhar or Asami is ex- tinguished
S. 72Section 72 allows the Gacm Sabha to take possession of land if the Bhumidhar's or Asami's interest is extinguished under the Act.
S. 73Section 73 grants Gaon Sabha the right to admit individuals as Bhumidhars to specified lands.
S. 74Section 74 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, grants the Gaon Sabha the right to admit individuals as Asamis for vacant or waste land, with a five-year lease at reduced rent.
S. 75Section 75 outlines the order of preference for admitting persons as Bhumidhar or Asami for land allocation under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 76—
S. 77Section 77 allows certain landholders to request ejectment of tenants for specific reasons, including non-cultivation or outstanding rent.
S. 78Section 78 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, outlines procedures for delivering land possession with ungathered crops or trees when the judgment-debtor's due amount is compared to the crops' or trees' value.
S. 79Section 79 allows an Asami to become a Bhumidhar if a suit for ejectment is not filed or executed within the prescribed time limit.
S. 80Section 80 prohibits a landholder from leasing ejected Asami land to anyone for two years post-ejectment.
S. 81Section 81 allows Bhumidhars or Asamis to be evicted and fined for using land for non-agricultural purposes.
S. 82Section 82 allows a court to order the ejectment of a Bhumidhar or Asami from land, with a chance to repair damages within three months.
S. 83Section 83 allows the Gaon Sabha or land-holder to sue for injunction or repair of damage to the holding instead of ejectment.
S. 84Section 84 mandates ejectment and damages for unauthorized possession of land, and presumes intent to intimidate upon re-entry post-ejectment.
S. 85Section 85 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, grants possession rights to a person retaining land if a suit or decree is not executed within the specified period.
S. 8686A and 871, no Bhumidhar shall be liable to ejectment
S. 87Any person who, on or after the first day of July
S. 89The rent payable by an Asami shall not be varied be vaned except in the manner and to the extent provided under this
S. 90Section 90 allows an Asami to sue for rent fixation and arrears if none was set, with rent determined by previous year's rate or village standard.
S. 91Section 91 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 deems produce and tree fruits as rent until paid, preventing sale to satisfy other claims.
S. 92(1)
S. 93Section 93 allows the Revenue Assistant to commute rent payable in kind or on estimates, as prescribed.
S. 94Section 94 mandates rent payments in two equal installments on November 15 and May 15, unless otherwise contracted.
S. 96Section 96 outlines procedures for handling contested claims in land rent and ejectment cases under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 97Section 97 mandates the Tahsildar to order ejectment if an Asami fails to pay after notice under section 96.
S. 98(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code ejectment, in of Civil Prwedure
S. 99An Asami shall, from the date rent becomes due, Interest on be liable to pay interest at 62 per
S. 100Section 100 allows recovery of rent arrears as land revenue arrears for government-owned or attached properties.
S. 101Section 101 allows courts to remit rent for decreased land productivity due to natural calamities, with corresponding land revenue reductions.
S. 103Section 103 vests boundary trees not owned by tenants in adjoining Bhumidhars in equal shares.
S. 104Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in seo Declaratory tion 42 of the Specific Relief Act, 1877, the Gaon Sabha su
S. 105The Chief Commissioner may make 'rules fcr the make rules
S. 107Section 107 mandates that all land held by Bhumidhars is liable for land revenue, except for exemptions under section 122 or other laws.
S. 108Section 108 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 makes all Bhurnidhars jointly liable for land revenue, unless the Chief Commissioner declares otherwise for specific areas.
S. 109(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, every payab1e
S. 110Section 110 allows the Chief Commissioner to set payment dates and installments for land revenue, with unpaid amounts becoming arrears and defaulters.
S. 111Section 111 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 regulates land revenue adjustments and rent changes for Bhumidhars and Asamis.
S. 112Section 112 allows the Chief Commissioner to initiate land revenue settlement after the Act's commencement.
S. 113Section 113 allows the Chief Commissioner to initiate a new land revenue settlement after 30 years without revenue increase.
S. 114Section 114 mandates the Chief Commissioner to notify a fresh land settlement in the official gazette, making the area under settlement until a closure notification is issued.
S. 115Section 115 appoints Settlement Officers and Assistants to manage land settlement operations under the Delhi Land Reforms Act.
S. 116Section 116 allows the Chief Commissioner to transfer land revenue duties to the Settlement Officer during state settlements.
S. 117A settlement shall remain in force for a period of :Settlement
S. 118Section 118 mandates the Deputy Commissioner to assess and settle precarious or alluvial tracts when their settlement period of less than 30 years is expiring.
S. 119Section 119 grants the Deputy Commissioner settlement powers and mandates Chief Commissioner sanction for settlements and assessments.
S. 120When the State or a part thereof has been brought under settlement, the Settlement Officer or an Assistant Sei- m,~
S. 121Section 121 mandates the Settlement Officer to investigate and assess lands released conditionally if conditions are breached or the term ends.
S. 122Section 122 mandates proving land title to hold it revenue-free, with final orders by the Chief Commissioner if proven.
S. 123Section 123 specifies that land revenue is assessed based on aggregate Bhumidhar holdings, except for certain specified exceptions.
S. 124Section 124 sets the land revenue percentage based on the surplus produce, varying by a graduated scale according to the holding's surplus.
S. 125Section 125 details the process for the Settlement Officer to publish and finalize village assessment proposals.
S. 127Section 127 allows the Chief Commissioner to suspend or remit land revenue during agricultural calamities.
S. 128Section 128 prevents legal challenges to orders under section 127 and prohibits suits for remitted or suspended payments.
S. 129trictions and conditions as he may think fit but not so as to enable him to enhance the land revenue thereof
S. 130Section 130 allows the Chief Commissioner to appoint a Settlement Officer in a notified area after section 129.
S. 131Section 131 mandates annual revenue checks on conditionally released lands, reporting violations or expiration to the Chief Commissioner.
S. 132The Chief Commissioner can appoint agencies to collect land revenue.
S. 133Section 133 empowers the Chief Commissioner to assign land revenue collection duties to Gaon Sabha.
S. 134Section 134 outlines the liability of Bhumidhars to Gaon Panchayat for land revenue and penalties for non-payment.
S. 135Section 135 establishes that a certified statement of account by the Tahsildar or Gaon Panchayat confirms land revenue arrears and defaulter details.
S. 136Section 136 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 allows various methods for recovering land revenue arrears, including writs, arrests, and property sales.
S. 137Section 137 outlines procedures for issuing writs and citations to recover overdue land revenue from defaulters.
S. 138Any person who had defaulted in the payment of detention
S. 139Section 139 allows the Deputy Commissioner to attach and sell defaulter's movable property to recover land revenue arrears.
S. 140Section 140 allows the Deputy Commissioner to resell land with unpaid revenue to cover arrears and refund excess to the Bhumidhar.
S. 141Section 141 allows the Deputy Commissioner to recover unpaid land revenue from defaulter's other immovable property.
S. 142Section 142 allows Bhumidhars or appointed persons to apply to the Deputy Commissioner for recovery of land revenue arrears.
S. 143Section 143 applies the Act's land revenue recovery provisions to all outstanding land revenue and dues from the Act's start.
S. 144Section 144 allows the Deputy Commissioner to manage villages or areas with land revenue arrears for up to three years.
S. 145While an area is so held by the Deputy Commis- 1 sloner under his own management, he shall be bound by I
S. 146(1) Where an arrear of land revenue is due in ) I a I Deputy
S. 148Section 148 applies certain provisions of the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887 to the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 150Section 150 establishes Gaon Sabha areas and Gaon Sabha bodies corporate for property management and contract entry.
S. 1512 (iii) by a Bhumidhy, Asami or PO
S. 154'[(l)] On the commencement of this Act- ' certain lands etc
S. 155Section 155 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954 assigns the Gaon Sabha control over various lands and resources, but allows the Chief Commissioner to transfer some to other authorities.
S. 156Section 156 outlines the duties of Gaon Panchayats including agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and cottage industries development.
S. 157Section 157 outlines the term, vacancy filling, working procedure, and business conduct of the Gaon Panchayat.
S. 158Section 158 credits Gaon Sabha Area Fund with all sums received by Gaon Sabha or Panchayat under the Act.
S. 159Section 159 allows the Gaon Panchayat to use the Area Fund for its duties, but not government funds unless specified, and mandates compliance with the Chief Commissioner's orders.
S. 161Section 161 empowers the Chief Commissioner to suspend Gaon Sabha or Gaon Panchayat functions and assign them to a Deputy Commissioner or higher.
S. 161BSection 161B empowers courts to stay land reform suits or proceedings pending resolution of certain claims.
S. 162The Chief Commissioner may make 'rules for make the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapter
S. 163Section allows ten or more Gaon Sabha members to apply to the Registrar for registering a cooperative farm.
S. 164An application for the registration of a coopera- registra- tive farm shall be acmmplanied by extracts from the rxord
S. 165Section 165 allows the Registrar to register co-operative farms and send a registration certificate to the Deputy Commissioner.
S. 166Section 166 transfers land offered by members to a registered co-operative farm for development purposes.
S. 167Not less than two-thirds of the total number of Formation
S. 168Section 168 mandates the Deputy Commissioner to establish a co-operative farm from uneconomic holdings after hearing objections.
S. 169Any p e r m aggrieved by an order of the Depury Appeal
S. 170(1) Deputy Commissioner shall cause a wpy Registration of the order passed under section 168 or 169 directing that ~~~
S. 171Section 171 transfers uneconomic land holdings to a registered co-operative farm for its use.
S. 172Section 172 allows the Bombay Co-operative Societies Act's provisions to apply to Delhi's cooperative farms, unless they conflict with the Delhi Land Reforms Act.
S. 173EV&' application submitted under section 163 or p?jam
S. 174Section 174 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, clarifies that a Bhumidhar's interest in land does not transfer to the cooperative farm.
S. 175Section 175 restricts members of cooperative farms from disposing of contributed land except with permission, but allows Bhumidhar members to make testamentary dispositions with farm approval.
S. 176Section 176 outlines the rights, obligations, and duties of members in a co-operative farm under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 177Section 177 makes the cooperative farm liable for all land revenue, taxes, and dues instead of the Bhumidhar or Asami.
S. 178Section 178 allows residents or cultivators of a Gaon Sabha Area to join a cooperative farm and heirs to join after a member's death.
S. 179(1) A co-operative farm shall be entitled to such Concessions ~conmssions and facilities as may be prescribed
S. 180The Chief Commissioner may make 'rules for the Power to d purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Chapt
S. 181The Chief Commissioner may, by notification in zlegation the official Gazette, delegate to any officer or authority sub
S. 182Section 182 grants officers under the Delhi Land Reforms Act authority to enter and survey any land for enforcement purposes.
S. 183Any notice or other document required or autho- Mode of rised to be served under this Act may be
S. 184All documents, statements and registers maintain-
S. 188Section 188 provides immunity from civil and criminal proceedings for government officers acting in good faith under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954.
S. 191Section 191 of the Delhi Land Reforms Act, 1954, outlines powers to make rules, including time limits, procedures, officer duties, fees, and delegation of authority.
S. 286Section 286 mandates framing an issue on land title disputes and referring it to a competent civil court for decision.
S. 1870r ssioner
S. 1887or 7 P 'Subs
S. 1908Issue of %
S. 1955Section allows the Government of India to set aside land ownership decisions made before 1965 if the land was not part of the original claimant's holding or cultivation.
S. 1959(w