To introduce the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 and help readers understand its function as the principal State law on land revenue administration, Government land, land use conversion, occupancy rights, encroachments, assessment and revenue authorities in Maharashtra.
Overview #
The Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 is the core State legislation governing land revenue administration in Maharashtra. It deals with the organisation of revenue areas and revenue officers, the legal character of land and occupancy, Government title in certain lands, grant and use of land, conversion from agricultural to non-agricultural use, encroachment on Government land, assessment and recovery of land revenue, and related revenue proceedings.
The Code is important because many property, development, agriculture, industrial use, public land, village land and Government land questions in Maharashtra ultimately require reference to the revenue law framework. It is frequently used by revenue officers, landholders, developers, local authorities, co-operative societies, lawyers, conveyancers and researchers dealing with land records, permissions, mutation-related issues, non-agricultural use and State land restrictions.
Object of the legislation #
The object of the Code is to provide a consolidated legal framework for the administration of land and land revenue in Maharashtra. It structures the revenue hierarchy, defines revenue areas, recognises different classes of landholders, regulates the use and grant of land, provides for assessment and collection of revenue, and gives statutory powers to revenue authorities for protecting Government land and enforcing revenue obligations.
In practical terms, the legislation connects land administration with public revenue, land tenure, land use control and State supervision over lands that are unalienated, assigned for special purposes, held under occupancy, or subject to Government restrictions.
Scope and relevance #
The Code applies across Maharashtra and is relevant to both rural and urban land questions, subject to the operation of other special laws. It is especially significant where land use is proposed to be changed, Government or nazul land is involved, Gairan or public-purpose land is affected, occupancy rights are transferred, or a person is alleged to be in unauthorised occupation of land vesting in Government.
For lawyers and legal researchers, the Code is not merely a revenue collection statute. It is also a source of statutory powers for Collectors and other revenue officers, a basis for land use permissions and penalties, and a key reference point for transactions involving agricultural land, development plan areas, industrial use, Government land, mines and minerals, and encroachment proceedings.
Selected important provisions and themes #
- Sections 3 and 4 deal with the division and constitution of revenue areas, forming the administrative basis for land revenue governance in Maharashtra.
- Sections 5 to 16 set out the revenue officer structure, including the chief controlling authority in revenue matters, officers in divisions and districts, survey officers, delegation and subordination.
- Section 20 declares the State title in lands, public roads and similar properties which are not shown to be the property of others.
- Sections 22 and 22A are important for lands assigned for special purposes and the prohibition on diversion of use of Gairan land.
- Sections 29 to 40 cover grant of land, classes of persons holding land, transferability and heritability of occupancy, restrictions on transfers by Tribals under section 36A, and restrictions relating to Government land and nazul land under section 37A.
- Sections 41 to 47A regulate use of land, including permission for non-agricultural use, conversion of land use in development or regional plan contexts, bona fide industrial use, penalties for unauthorised use and conversion tax.
- Section 48 concerns Government title to mines and minerals, a provision often relevant in land, quarrying and extraction-related disputes.
- Sections 50 to 54 address encroachment and unauthorised occupation of land vesting in Government, including removal, penalty, regularisation, summary eviction and forfeiture of property left after eviction.
How to use this Bare Act #
- Use this Bare Act page to identify the statutory provision governing a land revenue, occupancy, Government land, land use conversion or encroachment issue in Maharashtra.
- For non-agricultural use or development-linked land conversion, read the Code together with planning permissions and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966.
- For conveyancing, transfer, stamp duty or registration-related work, verify whether the land is subject to Government, nazul, Tribal occupancy, Gairan, agricultural-use or other revenue restrictions before relying only on title documents.
- For litigation or administrative representation, check the relevant powers of the Collector, revenue officers and survey authorities, and confirm the applicable appeal or revision route under the current text.
- Always cross-check the latest official amendments, circulars, Government Resolutions and local revenue records before advising on land use, transferability, regularisation or eviction.
Related Bare Acts and statutes #
- Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966
- Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958
- Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960
- Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949
- Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
The linked PDF states that the text is as on 2nd April 2025. Users should verify the latest Maharashtra amendments, notifications, rules, Government Resolutions and local revenue office practice before relying on any provision for a transaction, litigation filing, development proposal or administrative proceeding.
