Revenue administration is one of the most critical functions of the state government, managing land and other fiscal resources. In Jharkhand, revenue administration holds a significant place due to the state's reliance on agriculture, mining, and natural resources. The revenue system not only covers the management of land and property but also the taxation system that finances various developmental and welfare activities. The structure and functioning of revenue administration in Jharkhand are rooted in historical practices but have evolved to meet the needs of a modern and industrializing state.
Historical Context
Jharkhand, carved out of Bihar in 2000, has a rich history of land administration, largely shaped by tribal land ownership and the agricultural patterns of the region. Historically, the tribal population followed a customary system of landownership, which differed significantly from the formal revenue systems imposed during British colonial rule. This colonial revenue system was based on land settlements that were sometimes unfavorable to the indigenous tribal communities. The establishment of Jharkhand as a separate state necessitated a rethinking of revenue administration to balance tribal rights and state revenue collection.
Structure of Revenue Administration
The revenue administration in Jharkhand is a multi-tiered system, with responsibilities distributed between the state government, district administration, and local bodies. It follows the structure of the Indian system of revenue administration, although with adaptations to accommodate the state's specific needs.
State Level:
Department of Revenue, Registration, and Land Reforms: At the state level, the Department of Revenue is responsible for overall land administration, revenue collection, and land reforms. It oversees policies related to land, minerals, and forests. The Secretary of the department, along with various officers, is responsible for the implementation of policies and the supervision of district-level activities.
Revenue Minister: The Revenue Minister, a senior cabinet member, plays a key role in formulating policies and legislative frameworks related to revenue administration, land reforms, and taxation in the state.
District Level:
Deputy Commissioner (DC): The Deputy Commissioner is the key officer responsible for revenue administration in each district. The DC oversees the administration of land records, collection of land revenue, settlement of disputes, and implementation of land reforms.
Circle Officer (CO): Under the Deputy Commissioner, the Circle Officer manages smaller administrative units called "circles." The CO is responsible for the actual collection of revenue and maintenance of land records within their jurisdiction.
Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO): The SDO is a crucial administrative head at the subdivision level. They supervise the COs and ensure the implementation of revenue policies in their subdivision.
Tehsil Level:
Tehsildar: The Tehsildar is the chief administrative officer at the tehsil level. They play a crucial role in land-related activities such as land transfers, mutation of land records, and revenue collection.
Patwari: The Patwari is the lowest administrative officer at the village level and is responsible for maintaining land records, collecting land taxes, and updating land records regularly.
Key Components of Revenue Administration in Jharkhand
Land Revenue System:
The land revenue system in Jharkhand is largely based on the Land Revenue Act, which defines the methods for collecting revenue from agricultural and non-agricultural land. The revenue system includes various taxes, including land tax, irrigation tax, and rent for government-owned land.
Jamabandi System: The Jamabandi is the record of rights that includes information on the landholder, ownership rights, and other land-related details. This system is essential for maintaining transparency in land transactions and preventing illegal land transfers.
Land Reforms and Regulation:
Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act (SPTA): The SPTA governs land rights in the Santhal Pargana region, which is home to a large tribal population. This act aims to protect tribal land rights by regulating land transfers and providing mechanisms for land reforms.
Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (CNT): Similar to the SPTA, the CNT is applicable to the Chotanagpur plateau and is designed to protect tribal land ownership from non-tribal encroachment.
Lal Mati Land: In Jharkhand, Lal Mati land refers to government land that is leased to people for agricultural purposes. The administration ensures that such land remains protected and is used for the welfare of the local population.
Revenue Collection and Taxation:
Jharkhand has a well-organized system for collecting taxes, primarily focusing on land and property taxes. The state also collects taxes from mining, forest resources, and industrial operations.
Professional Tax: This is another important source of revenue in Jharkhand, imposed on individuals working in the state. It is collected by local bodies and administered through the district administration.
Stamp Duty and Registration: Revenue generated from property transactions is one of the most significant sources of income for the state. The registration of property and the imposition of stamp duty are crucial aspects of revenue administration in Jharkhand.
Mining and Mineral Resources:
Jharkhand is rich in mineral resources, and the revenue administration plays a key role in managing the state's mining activities. The Mining and Minerals Development Act governs the extraction of minerals in the state.
The state earns substantial revenue through the sale and taxation of minerals like coal, iron ore, and bauxite. The Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation (JSMDC) oversees the management of state-owned mineral resources.
Forest Revenue:
Jharkhand has a significant forest cover, and revenue from forests is another important source of income. The state collects fees from timber, non-timber forest products, and other forest-related activities.
The administration also manages community forests, which are jointly managed by the government and local communities, especially in tribal areas.
Challenges in Revenue Administration
Land Encroachments:
Illegal encroachments on both government and tribal land are a persistent problem in Jharkhand. Revenue officers often face challenges in identifying and removing such encroachments due to the complex land rights and tribal ownership systems.
Disputes Over Tribal Land:
The presence of multiple acts (such as SPTA and CNT) and the varied systems of land ownership often lead to disputes over land titles, especially in tribal regions. These disputes are difficult to resolve due to historical complexities and a lack of updated records.
Corruption and Administrative Bottlenecks:
Corruption within the revenue administration, coupled with inefficiencies and delays in the maintenance of land records, hampers smooth revenue collection and land management. The issue of manual records is also a significant challenge, as outdated or incomplete records complicate revenue generation.
Revenue from Mining:
Despite the states mineral wealth, Jharkhand faces difficulties in maximizing revenue from mining operations. Illegal mining, improper royalty collection, and environmental concerns often reduce the overall revenue generation from this sector.
Urbanization and Land Use Changes:
Urbanization and industrial development are creating significant pressure on land use in Jharkhand. The revenue administration has to deal with land conversion, urban land acquisition, and property taxes in rapidly growing cities like Ranchi.
Innovations and Reforms
Digitization of Land Records:
In recent years, the state government has made strides toward digitizing land records, aiming to increase transparency and efficiency in land transactions. The Bhoomi Rashi Portal is one such initiative that allows citizens to access land records online.
E-Governance and Transparency:
Jharkhand has introduced several e-governance measures to streamline revenue collection and reduce corruption. Online portals for property registration, professional tax collection, and payment of land revenue have been launched to ease administrative processes.
Land Reforms:
Efforts have been made to expedite land reforms, including the allotment of land to landless tribals and the protection of tribal land from non-tribal owners. Land redistribution programs and protection of tribal land rights continue to be a key focus area of the government.