1. What is the Bhu Bharati Act, 2024?
Answer: The Bhu Bharati Act is a landmark land reform law enacted by the Telangana State Government to consolidate and update the system of Record of Rights (RoR) in all types of land — agricultural, non-agricultural, and abadi.
2. When did the Act come into force?
Answer: The Act received the Governor’s assent on 3rd January 2025 and was published in the Telangana Gazette on 4th January 2025. It will be implemented on dates notified by the government for different areas.
3. What is the territorial scope of this Act?
Answer: It applies to the entire state of Telangana, with specific exceptions like government lands, urban non-agricultural lands (as notified), and Jagir/Inam lands with special legal status.
4. What is a Record of Rights (RoR)?
Answer: RoR is a digitally or manually maintained record showing land ownership, possession, tenancy, rights, and liabilities related to a parcel of land.
5. What is a Bhudhaar Number?
Answer: A Bhudhaar is a unique identification number assigned to each land parcel:
- Temporary Bhudhaar – Geo-referencing not yet completed.
- Permanent Bhudhaar – Geo-referencing completed.
6. What is a Bhudhaar Card?
Answer: An official electronic document containing the Bhudhaar number and description of the land parcel(s), accessible via the RoR portal.
7. What is a Pattadar Pass Book-cum-Title Deed?
Answer: It is a legal document issued to the owner (Pattadar) of agricultural land, which serves as:
- Proof of ownership.
- Title document.
- Valid for use in securing loans or mortgages.
8. What is “Mutation” in land records?
Answer: Mutation refers to updating land records after sale, gift, inheritance, will, partition, mortgage, or court orders. It ensures legal changes in ownership are reflected in RoR.
9. What is the “RoR Portal”?
Answer: The RoR Portal is the official online platform (replacing Dharani) for: Applying for mutations, Bhudhaar, and title deeds. Viewing and downloading land records. Submitting applications and documents.
10. How does the registration and mutation process work under the Act?
Answer: Documents are submitted online via the prescribed website. After registration, the Tahsildar updates RoR automatically. Updated Pattadar Pass Books are issued instantly.
11. Are unregistered land transactions valid?
Answer: Yes, if: The land is agricultural. The alienation took place before June 2, 2014. Application was submitted during the window (Oct-Nov 2020). The landholder is a small or marginal farmer.
12. What is the grievance redressal mechanism?
Answer: Appeals can be filed against any decision by:Tahsildar → RDO → Collector → Land Tribunal, A second appeal is allowed where applicable.
13. Can civil courts intervene in RoR entries?
Answer: Only for declaration of rights under the Specific Relief Act. Otherwise, courts do not interfere in mutation processes handled under the Act.
14. What is the role of the Commissioner in this Act?
Answer: Supervises land administration. Reviews fraudulent or unlawful mutations. Can cancel fraudulent entries and order disciplinary action.
15. What protections are provided to officials?
Answer: Officers acting in good faith are protected from legal action. However, fraudulent actions attract penalties including dismissal and criminal prosecution.
16. Can banks issue loans without physical passbooks?
Answer: Yes. The electronic RoR system allows banks to verify records online, and they cannot demand physical documents if the digital RoR is accessible.
17. Can the Government change or update rules?
Answer: Yes, the Government is empowered to make rules and remove difficulties by issuing orders or notifications, provided they are consistent with the Act.
18. Which earlier law is repealed by this Act?
Answer: The Telangana Rights in Land and Pattadar Pass Books Act, 2020 is repealed, but actions taken under it remain valid.
