The Gujarat government has made changes to land and property transaction rules, eliminating the mandatory 30-day notice period. In undisputed cases, same-day certification will now be provided, while timelines for transactions needing review have been shortened. These changes aim to reduce delays and prevent fraudulent objections.
State spokesperson Jitu Vaghani mentioned that the amendments were made by altering Section 135-D of the Land Revenue Act, 1879. This move is intended to simplify revenue procedures and address challenges faced by citizens. Vaghani emphasized that citizens will no longer have to wait for the 30-day notice period in lawful land or property transactions.
The previous requirement of a 30-day notice caused significant delays for both buyers and sellers. Vaghani highlighted that some anti-social elements took advantage of this period to raise false objections and extort money. The decision to remove this requirement was taken in the interest of farmers and the middle class.
Sale entries will now be recorded and certified on the same day without a Section 135-D notice in specific cases. This includes situations where there has been no change in land records for at least one year, no pending litigation or claims, undisputed possession, and all individuals listed in the 7/12 record have signed the sale document. The government has also waived the need for a 135-D notice when implementing orders from a competent court or tribunal.
For cases requiring verification, the notice period has been reduced from 30 days to seven days. This reduction applies to transactions recorded within the past year, sales executed through a power of attorney, cases where not all rights holders have signed, or where a dispute is pending. Vaghani stated that genuine right holders will have seven days to present their evidence to prevent any injustice.
The amendments are expected to simplify legal processes for farmers, property buyers, and the general public. They aim to remove unnecessary obstacles to transfers among direct-line heirs. These changes apply to agricultural land as well as transactions involving shops, flats, and residential properties. The government estimates that around 50,000 cases pending in revenue courts have been delayed due to objections related to Section 135-D.
The government’s decision, made under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s guidance, seeks to enhance the transparency, timeliness, and effectiveness of the revenue process. It is anticipated to benefit numerous citizens across the state.
