Bihar Launches Structured Process to Settle Bettiah Raj Land Claims in Uttar Pradesh
In a significant move to address long-standing property disputes, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister of Bihar, Vijay Kumar Sinha, announced on Friday that a transparent and structured process has commenced for disposing of claims over 175.55 acres of land belonging to the erstwhile Bettiah Raj estate. This land is located across eight different places in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh.
New Rules for Effective Management
The exercise is being conducted under the newly framed "Rules for Disposal of Property of Bettiah Raj, 2026". Sinha emphasized that the primary objective is to ensure transparent and effective management of Bettiah Raj properties, particularly those situated outside Bihar. "This initiative will help resolve pending disputes and enable clear utilization of the land," he stated, highlighting the importance of orderly resolution in these matters.
He further explained that these rules specifically address properties located outside Bihar and establish a defined administrative mechanism for the orderly, rule-based disposal of claims. This structured approach aims to prevent future conflicts and streamline the process for all stakeholders involved.
Detailed Land Parcels Across Uttar Pradesh
The land parcels in question are spread across eight districts in Uttar Pradesh, with specific acreage as follows:
- Prayagraj: 26.56 acres
- Basti: 6.21 acres
- Ayodhya: 1.86 acres
- Gorakhpur: 50.92 acres
- Kushinagar: 69.59 acres
- Maharajganj: 7.53 acres
- Mirzapur: 0.91 acres
- Varanasi: 11.95 acres
This distribution underscores the widespread nature of the Bettiah Raj estate holdings and the complexity of managing such dispersed properties.
Administrative Framework and Responsibilities
Under the new rules, the secretary of the Bihar revenue board has been appointed as the special officer to hear claims and objections and oversee the disposal process. Applicants seeking ownership rights will have their claims evaluated through a meticulous procedure.
District magistrates in Uttar Pradesh have been tasked with assessing the payable amounts for the land. Sinha warned that failure to deposit the fixed amount may lead to the cancellation of claims and transfer of ownership to the Bihar revenue board. This measure is designed to ensure compliance and prevent delays in the settlement process.
The implementation of these rules marks a proactive step by the Bihar government to manage historical estates efficiently, fostering transparency and legal clarity in property disputes that span state boundaries.
