Karnataka Government Prohibits Land-Use Conversion for Small Agricultural Plots
The Karnataka government has implemented a significant policy change by prohibiting the conversion of land use for agricultural plots measuring five guntas or less. This decision, announced in a circular last month, targets the misuse of family partition provisions that have led to unauthorized layouts and profit-driven sales.
Addressing Misuse of Family Partition Rules
Officials observed a troubling pattern where landowners were dividing farmland into small parcels, typically below five guntas, to facilitate easy registration. These plots were subsequently sold as revenue sites for profit. In numerous instances, landowners applied for permission to convert such land for non-agricultural purposes, exploiting loopholes in the system.
To combat these practices, the land survey department has directed deputy commissioners to identify such plots when processing land-use conversion applications. Files are to be returned to deputy directors of land documents for further action, ensuring stricter scrutiny and compliance.
Strict Measures and Disciplinary Actions
The circular emphasizes that officials must not permit conversions for these small plots and warns of disciplinary action against those who fail to comply. This move aims to safeguard agricultural land from unauthorized development and ensure proper management of land records across the state.
Under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, landowners can obtain an 11E sketch—a mandatory pre-mutation document that outlines the precise boundary of agricultural land being sold, gifted, or divided. However, this provision allows for such a sketch only once in cases of partition among family members for plots below five guntas.
Cracking Down on Multiple 11E Sketch Abuses
Investigations revealed that many landowners were availing 11E sketches multiple times, circumventing the intended restrictions. In response, the circular mandates that the land documents division file suo moto cases to cancel such improperly obtained sketches, reinforcing the government's commitment to transparency and legal adherence.
This policy is part of broader efforts to prevent the fragmentation of agricultural land and promote sustainable land use practices in Karnataka. By tightening regulations, the government seeks to balance development needs with the preservation of vital farmland resources.
