All eyes on the Telangana Record of Rights Act with winter session starting on Monday

The Congress-led government is set to introduce few Bills seeking replacement of Ordinances

As the winter session of the State Legislature is set to commence from Monday (December 16), all eyes are on the introduction and passage of the new Telangana Record of Rights Bill 2024.

The new Act, replacing the existing RoR Act introduced by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, has several additional features incorporated in it. The new Act will have a major feature — Bhudhaar, a unique identification for the land parcel on the lines of Aadhar. Bhudhaar cards, both temporary and permanent would be generated in respect of all parcels of land and it would be made accessible online to pattadars or landowners.

The government proposes to issue a single Bhudhaar card for all parcels of land held by the same pattadar from a notified date. Issuance of separate cards for abadi lands, land set aside for dwelling and incidental purposes in the village, is also under consideration. Sources said the government is still undecided over whether to bring out a separate legislation for abadi lands or whether incorporate a special provision for them in the forthcoming Act.

This apart, the new Act features appeal mechanism at different levels so that problems are resolved at the earliest. Accordingly, it will have provisions for constitution of appellate tribunals at the State and district levels. Unlike the previous legislation where there was no scope for appeal, the new legislation is likely to have provisions putting in place grievance redressal mechanism at MRO/RDO level which can be escalated to the level of district collector or joint collector in case of difficulties.

The Act is unique in the sense that it has been put in public domain first, rather than being introduced first in the legislature, for eliciting views from stakeholders so that it can be made user friendly. Accordingly, an extensive exercise was conducted at the district and mandal levels to ensure that the provisions of the new legislation were explained to landowners seeking their views/recommendations on changes, if any, that could be incorporated.

The government is expected to introduce few Bills amending The Telangana Payment of Salaries and Pensions and Removal of Disqualifications Act, 1953, The Telangana Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, The Telangana Municipalities Act and the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act during the session.

Published - December 15, 2024 07:04 pm IST