AP Assigned Land Sale Rules 2024: Pre-1954 Land Transfer Guide

Breaking News for AP Landowners: Pre-1954 Assigned Lands Are Now Free to Sell!

Have you been struggling to sell a piece of land because it was marked as "Assigned Land"? Are you tangled in legal confusion about your property rights?

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has just issued a landmark order that brings relief and clarity to thousands of families. If your land was assigned by the government before June 18, 1954, you now have a clear path to legally sell or transfer it.

What is "Assigned Land"? A Simple Explanation

First, let's break down the term. "Assigned Land" is government-owned land that was given (or "assigned") to landless poor people to help them build a livelihood and a home. For decades, a major rule attached to this land was that it could be inherited by family but could not be sold to others.

This "no-sale" rule created significant problems for many families who needed to sell their property due to financial needs or other reasons.

The Game-Changing Discovery: The 1954 Cut-Off Date

After reviewing old records, the government made a crucial discovery:

• Before June 18, 1954: The government did NOT put a "no-sale" condition on assigned lands. The only restriction was a 10-year ban on selling.
• On & After June 18, 1954: The strict rule that the land is "heritable but not alienable" (can be inherited, cannot be sold) was officially introduced.

This means that lands assigned before this 1954 cutoff date were mistakenly grouped with later lands and banned from sale.

What Does This New Government Order Mean for You?

In simple terms, the government has corrected this historical oversight.

The Revenue Department G.O.MS.No.575 officially deletes pre-1954 assigned lands from the list of properties that cannot be registered for sale. This means:

• ✅ You Can Now Sell Your Land: If your land was assigned before 18.06.1954, you can legally execute a sale deed.
• ✅ You Can Transfer It: The land can now be gifted or transferred without the fear of the government resuming it.
• ✅ End of Legal Battles: This order is expected to resolve countless pending court cases, providing a permanent solution for landowners and the government.

Key Takeaway: Check Your Land's Assignment Date!

This is the most important step. The freedom to sell ONLY applies to lands assigned before June 18, 1954.

What should you do?

1. Check your original land assignment documents (D-Form Patta or other related papers).
2. Locate the date when the land was assigned to your family.
3. If the date is before 18.06.1954, you can now proceed with the sale registration at the Sub-Registrar's office.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes based on the Government Order (G.O.MS.No.575). We recommend consulting with a legal expert or your local Revenue Department official to verify your specific land records and complete the process correctly.

ORIGINAL ORDER

Revenue Department – Lands - Deletion of Government lands assigned prior to 18.06.1954 from the purview of Section 22-A of Registration Act, 1908 – Orders– Issued.

REVENUE (ASSIGNMENT-I) DEPARTMENT

G.O.MS.No.575, Dt:16-11-2018 

1.G.O.Ms.No.1523, Revenue Department, dt.11.06.1949.
2.G.O.Ms.No.1142, Revenue Department, dt.18.06.1954.
3.From the Spl.C.S& CCLA, A.P., Vijayawada Lr. No. Assn.I(1)/162/2015, dt.20-10-2016.

*****

ORDER:-
In the G.O. 1stread above, the Government have issued orders stipulating condition that the land assigned will not be sold or otherwise alienated within the period of ten years. If they are alienated within this period, they should be liable to be resumed. Prior to issue of these orders there seems to be no condition of non-alienation of the assigned lands.

2. In the G.O. 2nd read above, after having examined the issue of assignment of Government lands, stipulated the condition that the lands assigned shall be heritable but not alienable.
3. The Special C.S. & Chief Commissioner of Land Administration, A.P., in his letter 3rd read above has stated that, it is evident that the condition of non-alienation was stipulated in G.O.Ms.No.1142, Revenue Department, dt.18.06.1954. Prior to 18.06.1954, there was no condition of non-alienation of assigned lands. Moreover as per Sub-Section (1) of Section 2 of A.P. Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977.

“Assigned land” means assigned by the Government to the landless poor persons under the rules for the time being in force, subject to the condition of non-alienation and includes lands allotted or transferred to landless poor persons under the relevant law for the time being in force relating to land ceilings, and the word “assigned” shall be construed accordingly”.

4. The SpI.C.S.& Chief Commissioner of Land Administration has suggested that all assignments made prior to 18-06-1954 may be considered for deletion from the purview of section 22-A of Registration Act, 1908 as there was no condition of non-alienation. The condition of non-alienation to non-British subjects may be ignored as it is irrelevant at present. The clear statement about the assigned lands prior to 18.06.1954, will settle a number of land matters and court cases being faced by the Revenue Department.
5. After careful examination of the matter, Government hereby order for deletion of Government lands assigned prior to 18.06.1954 from the purview of Section 22-A of Registration Act, 1908.
6. The Special Chief Secretary & Chief Commissioner of Land Administration shall take necessary action accordingly.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I find out if my land was assigned before 18.06.1954?
You need to check the original land assignment documents, often called the "D-Form Patta" or the Title Deed. The date of assignment is clearly mentioned on this document. You can also apply for a copy of these records from your local Tahsildar office or through the Meeseva portal.

2. My grandfather received the land before 1954. Can I, as his grandson, now sell it?

Yes. Since the land was assigned before the critical date of 18.06.1954, the "non-alienation" condition never applied to it. As the legal heir, you have the right to sell or transfer the property, provided you have the necessary succession documents to prove your ownership.

3. What is the difference between "heritable" and "alienable"?

• Heritable means the land can be passed down to your legal heirs (children, grandchildren) through inheritance.
• Alienable means the land can be sold, gifted, or transferred to another person through a registered sale deed.

This order confirms that pre-1954 assigned lands are both heritable and alienable.

4. Does this mean all assigned lands in Andhra Pradesh can now be sold?

No, absolutely not. This order is specific only to lands that were assigned by the government before June 18, 1954. Lands assigned on or after this date are still protected under the A.P. Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, and cannot be sold.

5. What is the first step I should take if I want to sell my pre-1954 assigned land?

The first step is to get your documents verified. Contact a legal advisor or your local Revenue Office (Tahsildar) to officially confirm the assignment date and ensure the land has been removed from the prohibited list under Section 22-A of the Registration Act. Once confirmed, you can proceed with a registered sale deed at the Sub-Registrar's office.

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