Bihar Land Survey: Big Decision to Help Landowners
Patna: A important decision has been taken today in favour of landowners (Raiyats) under the Bihar Special Land Survey and Settlement Project. The window available for the landowners to submit their documents, also called as self-declaration, has been extended from 30 working days to 180 working days. Approved by the Bihar government its amendment "Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Rules, 2024", the amended rules replace the 2012 rules (amended in 2019).
Previously, landowners were required to file their self-declarations within thirty working days from the date of notification. Now, that timeframe has been extended to 180 working days or until the tenant’s work has been completed—whichever occurs first. Landowners will have until March 2025 to fill in details on their land as part of the extension.
What Is Self-Declaration?
In a land survey, landowners submit detailed information about their land, including purchase documents, records, family tree details, and division agreements. These are filled in Form 2 and Form 3(1) and either submitted at survey camps or uploaded to the Directorate of Land Records and Survey’s website.
Survey officers use these documents to create accurate land records during the survey process. The aim is to make sure that every piece of land is properly documented, with no confusion about ownership.
Why Was the Time Extended?
The Revenue and Land Reforms Minister, Dr. Dileep Kumar Jaiswal, said many people were struggling to gather their land documents. Requests were made to extend the deadline, and the government decided to provide relief. The minister expressed hope that this extension would help landowners organize their documents and actively participate in the survey process.
Additional Key Decisions
1. Time Extended for Map Preparation
Survey teams create village maps as part of the process. The time to complete this task has been increased from 30 working days to 90 working days. For larger areas, Settlement Officers have the authority to grant more time.
2. Longer Time for Claims and Objections
If landowners are unhappy with survey details, they can file claims or objections using Form 8. Earlier, the time limit for this was 15 days. Now, it has been extended to 30 days, giving landowners more time to raise concerns.
3. Stronger Measures for Government Land Protection
To ensure the safety of public and government land, claims and objections related to such lands will now only be handled by officers of a rank higher than Assistant Settlement Officers or Circle Officers. This step aims to prevent unauthorized claims over government land.
4. Final Publication and Additional Appeal Period
Landowners can file objections within 90 days of the final publication of survey records. Even after this period, if there is a valid delay, landowners will be given one more chance for a hearing.
Importance of Accurate Land Records
Accurate land records are essential for ensuring ownership rights, resolving disputes, and enabling proper planning for land use. This initiative also supports the government’s goal of digitizing land records to make them accessible to the public.
A Step Towards Modernization
Deepak Kumar Singh, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, stated that the government is working to make the land survey process easier and more transparent for people. Several decisions have been made to simplify procedures and reduce the burden on citizens.
With these changes, the government hopes to address the concerns of landowners while ensuring accurate land documentation across Bihar. This project is a crucial step towards modernizing Bihar’s land management system, benefiting both citizens and the government.
What’s Next?
Landowners now have until March 2025 to complete their self-declaration. The survey process will continue with the aim of finishing all tasks on time while addressing public concerns effectively.
This move is expected to make the Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Project more efficient and inclusive. It also highlights the government's commitment to resolving land-related issues and supporting its citizens.
For more information, visit the official website of the Directorate of Land Reco
rds and Survey or contact your nearest survey camps
