Land records in Andhra Pradesh were long maintained mainly for rural agricultural land. The Andhra Pradesh Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act No. 7 of 2023) changed this by extending the Record of Rights system to land in Urban Local Bodies and by introducing a new document, the Certificate of Ownership. This post explains what the Act says, section by section, in simple language.
- Act: A.P. Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books (Amendment) Act, 2023 (Act No. 7 of 2023)
- Amends: A.P. Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books Act, 1971 (Act 26 of 1971), the "principal Act"
- Governor's assent: 19 April 2023; first published in the A.P. Gazette on 24 April 2023
- Deemed in force from: 1 February 2023
- Replaces: A.P. Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (Ordinance No. 2 of 2023)
- Why this amendment matters
- New definitions (Section 2)
- Record of Rights in urban areas (Section 3B)
- 60-day intimation of acquisition (Section 4)
- Applications and appeal (Section 6A)
- Other changes: Sections 9, 11(2)(bb) and 11A
- Repeal of the Ordinance and savings
- Summary table
- Practical steps for landowners
- FAQs
1. Why this amendment matters
Before this Act, the 1971 Act's Record of Rights and title deed-cum-pass book framework was built around agricultural land in villages. Land and buildings inside municipalities and corporations were not covered in the same way. The amendment brings urban land, including buildings, agricultural and non-agricultural land within urban local body limits, under the same statutory record system, and gives owners a Certificate of Ownership issued under Section 6A.
2. New definitions (Section 2)
Section 2 of the Amendment Act adds or changes four definitions in Section 2 of the principal Act.
(a) Certificate of Ownership
A "Certificate of Ownership" means the certificate issued under Section 6-A for:
- lands located in the Gramakantam and non-agricultural lands in the village; and/or
- lands located in the Urban Local Bodies.
(b) Land in Urban Local Body
This means land, including the building on it, whether agricultural or non-agricultural, located within the limits of the urban local body. The term "building" carries the same meaning as in the respective enactments under which the urban local bodies are constituted.
The existing clause (4a) is renumbered as clause (4b), and the new definition is inserted before it.
(c) Urban Local Body
A new clause (11a) defines an Urban Local Body as the areas of:
- "Municipality", "Nagar Panchayat", "Local Area" and "Transitional Area" as defined in the A.P. Municipalities Act, 1965; and
- "Larger Urban Area" and "Corporation" as defined in the A.P. Municipal Corporations Act, 1994, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Act, 1981 and the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Act, 1979.
3. Record of Rights in urban areas (new Section 3B)
A new Section 3B provides that the procedure under sub-sections (1) and (2) of Section 3 applies, mutatis mutandis (with necessary changes), for preparing and updating the Record of Rights in all lands in Urban Local Bodies, and as further prescribed. In simple terms, the same method used for village records is to be followed for urban records.
4. 60-day intimation of acquisition (Section 4)
A new sub-section is added to Section 4. Anyone who acquires rights of ownership in land in an Urban Local Body must intimate the Tahsildar within sixty (60) days from the date of acquisition. The Tahsildar must give or send a written acknowledgement of receipt to the person making the intimation.
5. Applications and appeal (Section 6A)
Two sub-sections are added to Section 6A:
- Section 6A(6): Any person claiming a title deed-cum-pass book for agricultural land, or a Certificate of Ownership for non-agricultural land and buildings within the limits of an urban local body, must apply as prescribed in Section 6A(1) and 6A(2). The application is dealt with as provided in the Act and the Rules.
- Section 6A(7): An appeal against any order passed by the Tahsildar under this Section lies to the concerned Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) within thirty (30) days of the date of communication of the order.
6. Other changes: Sections 9, 11(2)(bb) and 11A
- Section 9: after the expression "sections 3, 5, 5A or 5B", the expression "and 6A" is added, so Section 6A is brought within the scope of that provision.
- Section 11(2)(bb): after the words "title deeds and pass books", the words "and certificate of ownership" are added.
- New Section 11A: notwithstanding anything contrary in any law governing urban and rural local bodies in the State, the provisions of this Act apply to the matters specifically provided for in it. This gives the Act an overriding effect on those matters.
7. Repeal of the Ordinance and savings
The A.P. Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 (Ordinance No. 2 of 2023) is repealed. However, anything done or any action taken under the Ordinance is deemed to have been done or taken under this Act. Together with the deemed commencement date of 1 February 2023, this protects actions taken in the interim.
8. Summary table
| Section of Amendment Act | Provision of principal Act | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Section 2 (definitions) | Certificate of Ownership, Land in Urban Local Body and Urban Local Body defined; clause (4a) renumbered (4b) |
| 3 | New Section 3B | Section 3(1) and (2) procedure applies to Record of Rights in urban local body lands |
| 4 | Section 4 | Acquisition of ownership in urban land to be intimated to Tahsildar within 60 days; written acknowledgement |
| 5 | Section 6A(6), 6A(7) | Application for pass book or Certificate of Ownership; appeal to RDO within 30 days |
| 6 | Section 9 | "and 6A" added after "sections 3, 5, 5A or 5B" |
| 7 | Section 11(2)(bb) | "and certificate of ownership" added |
| 8 | New Section 11A | Act prevails over contrary provisions in local body laws on matters it covers |
| 9 | Repeal and savings | Ordinance No. 2 of 2023 repealed; actions under it saved |
9. Practical steps for landowners
- If you have acquired ownership of land in a municipality, nagar panchayat or corporation area, inform the Tahsildar within 60 days of acquisition and collect the written acknowledgement.
- Apply for the Certificate of Ownership (or the title deed-cum-pass book for agricultural land) in the manner prescribed under Section 6A(1) and 6A(2) and the Rules.
- If the Tahsildar's order goes against you, file an appeal before the RDO within 30 days of the date the order is communicated to you.
- Check the Rules and the latest Government orders for the exact application form, fee and documents, as these are matters "as prescribed".
10. FAQs
Q1. What is a Certificate of Ownership under this Act?
It is the certificate issued under Section 6-A for lands in the Gramakantam, non-agricultural lands in the village, and lands located in Urban Local Bodies.
Q2. Which areas count as an Urban Local Body?
Municipalities, Nagar Panchayats, Local Areas and Transitional Areas under the A.P. Municipalities Act, 1965, and Larger Urban Areas and Corporations under the A.P. Municipal Corporations Act, 1994, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Act, 1981 and the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Act, 1979.
Q3. Within what time must I inform the Tahsildar about acquiring urban land?
Within 60 days from the date of acquisition of ownership rights. The Tahsildar must give or send a written acknowledgement.
Q4. Where can I appeal against the Tahsildar's order under Section 6A?
To the concerned Revenue Divisional Officer, within 30 days of the date of communication of the order.
Q5. From which date does the Act apply?
It is deemed to have come into force on and from 1 February 2023, although it was published in the Gazette on 24 April 2023.
Q6. What happened to the earlier Ordinance?
Ordinance No. 2 of 2023 was repealed by this Act, but anything done under it is deemed to have been done under this Act.
Q7. Does the Act cover buildings too?
Yes. "Land in Urban Local Body" includes the building on the land, as well as agricultural and non-agricultural land within the local body limits.
