Explained: How Dotted Lands Lead To Tax Evasion And Revenue Loss For The Government

The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant step to remove "dotted lands" from the prohibited list, allowing farmers to regain their full rights over these disputed lands.

This move aims to resolve ownership disputes and provide clear land ownership documents to eligible farmers. So far, over 2 lakh acres of these British-era dotted lands have been identified for permanent denotification, reports The Indian Express.

What are dotted lands?

Unsplash/Representational image

Dotted lands are disputed areas with unclear ownership documents. They are called "dotted lands" because, during British rule, revenue officials marked ownership columns with dots when multiple individuals or the government claimed ownership, or when ownership couldn't be clearly determined. These lands are subject to conflicting claims by individuals and government authorities, including the Revenue Department.

Ownership disputes commonly occur due to two main causes. Firstly, when landowners do not have clear documentation or legal provisions such as wills to establish a definitive inheritance, conflicts can arise among potential heirs who claim ownership of the same land. Secondly, situations can arise where the government designates certain land as state-owned, but private individuals or entities occupy and utilize the land, leading to disputes between the government and the private parties involved.

Tax evasion and revenue loss for the government

According to reports, the government has taken action in response to the pressing need to resolve dotted land disputes. The Chief Commissioner of Land Ceiling has received over 1 lakh applications regarding these disputes.

Unsplash/Representational image

Illegal sales and construction on dotted lands in urban areas have caused issues such as tax evasion and revenue loss for the government. The registration value of the affected land covers 2,06,171 acres and exceeds Rs 8,000 crore, while the overall land value surpasses Rs 20,000 crore.

In the Assembly session held in March, the government proposed a Bill to amend the Revenue Act. The aim of this amendment is to provide titles to farmers who have been cultivating dotted lands for over 12 years. Currently, these lands are marked with dots and recorded in land registers.

However, under the new amendment, the dots and entries in the land registers will be removed, and the farmers will be granted clear ownership documents for the land they have been cultivating. This initiative is expected to benefit around 97,000 farmers, who will receive land ownership documents for a total of 2,06,171 acres of denotified dotted lands.

Jagananna Saswatha Bhu Hakku Bhu Raksha Scheme

Unsplash/Representational image

The Andhra Pradesh Government has introduced the "Jagananna Saswatha Bhu Hakku Bhu Raksha Scheme" to address various issues related to land ownership. Landowners and farmers can now utilise their lands as collateral to obtain loans. In urban areas, there have been instances of illegal sale of lands and unauthorised construction of houses, resulting in a lack of taxation on these properties. The scheme aims to create digital records of land ownership to prevent tampering with the records in the future.

In the initial phase of the scheme, the Andhra Pradesh government issued 7,92,238 permanent title deeds to farmers in 2,000 villages. This initiative provides legal proof of ownership and aims to protect the rights of farmers and landowners. It allows them to access financial assistance for crop support, sell their lands, or transfer ownership to family members.

By implementing digital records of land ownership, the government intends to ensure transparency, prevent fraud, and secure land rights for individuals. This scheme aims to address issues related to land ownership and provide a systematic approach to land management in Andhra Pradesh.