Maharashtra’s Revenue Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, revealed that notices for disputes concerning agricultural land, farm access roads, rights of way, and water channels will now be sent via email. Farmers affected by encroachers failing to comply with tehsildars’ orders will receive free police protection.
The state government’s reforms to the Mamlatdar Courts Act aim to expedite dispute resolution and ensure order enforcement. A circular from the Revenue Department highlighted these changes, emphasizing the importance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Bawankule’s efforts to address rural obstruction issues.
To streamline quasi-judicial processes, a new Section 14-A has been added to the Mamlatdar Courts Act, 1906, enabling email notifications for faster proceedings. Additionally, Section 21(5) now mandates free police protection for farmers if encroachers disregard tehsildar directives, with tehsildars specifying this in their orders.
The government’s directive also ensures that affected farmers can access police protection even if specific references are omitted in tehsildars’ orders. The collaborative effort between the Revenue and Home Departments, based on recommendations from a Pune Divisional Commissioner-led committee, underscores the commitment to rural welfare.
