Revenue System & Tehsildar — Set 5

Correct Answer: A. Elimination of intermediary zamindars to give peasants direct ownership of land

Zamindari Abolition was a major land reform movement carried out in the 1950s in various Indian states that eliminated the zamindari system of intermediary landlords and gave peasant cultivators direct ownership of the land they tilled. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and others enacted Zamindari Abolition Acts. Ex-zamindars received compensation for the loss of their estates. This reform transferred millions of acres of land to actual cultivators and was a landmark in post-independence agrarian reform.

Correct Answer: A. Law fixing a maximum limit on land ownership to redistribute surplus land to landless peasants

Land Ceiling Acts were enacted by various Indian states to fix a maximum limit on how much agricultural land a person or family can own. Surplus land beyond the ceiling limit was acquired by the state and redistributed to landless peasants and agricultural laborers. The ceiling limits varied by state and type of land. Though implemented with varying success, these laws were aimed at reducing concentration of land ownership and alleviating rural poverty.

Correct Answer: A. A village-level revenue official who maintains land records, equivalent to Patwari in other states

A Lekhpal is the village-level revenue official in Uttar Pradesh who is responsible for maintaining land records including Khasra, Khatauni, and field maps. The term Lekhpal literally means 'record keeper' and the role is equivalent to the Patwari in other states. Lekhpals conduct crop inspections, record mutations, and assist in revenue proceedings at the village level. They are under the supervision of the Kanungo and Tehsildar.

Correct Answer: A. The head of district revenue administration who supervises all revenue matters

The District Collector is the head of revenue administration in the district and is responsible for the collection of land revenue, maintenance of law and order, and implementation of government schemes. The Collector supervises the work of Tehsildars, Deputy Collectors, and other revenue staff in the district. As ex-officio District Magistrate, the Collector also has important administrative and judicial functions. The Collector's office is the nerve center of district administration in India.

Correct Answer: A. A body consisting of all registered voters in the village panchayat area

Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all the registered voters (electors) in a village or group of villages constituting a panchayat. It is the fundamental democratic institution at the grassroots level under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. The Gram Sabha has powers to approve plans and policies of the Gram Panchayat and can review its accounts. It meets at least twice a year and is the platform for direct democracy in rural areas.

Correct Answer: A. A Khasra number assigned to government-owned or common land in a village

Sarkari Khasra refers to plot numbers in the village Khasra register that are assigned to government-owned land, common land (Shamlat), or land belonging to the Gram Sabha. This includes village common lands like grazing grounds, ponds, village roads, and government forest lands. Sarkari Khasra plots are not available for private ownership and their use is governed by revenue and panchayat laws. Encroachments on Sarkari Khasra land are a significant issue in many states.

Correct Answer: A. A government agricultural loan given to farmers for seeds, tools and agricultural needs

Taqqavi (also spelled Taccavi) refers to government loans advanced to farmers to meet their agricultural needs such as purchase of seeds, implements, and cattle during times of distress or for agricultural development. These loans were given under the Land Improvement Loans Act and the Agriculturists' Loans Act. The Patwari and Tehsildar played key roles in recommending and monitoring Taqqavi loans. Though largely replaced by formal banking credit today, Taqqavi was an important part of the revenue system historically.

Correct Answer: A. A central government program to digitize and modernize land records across India

The Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) is a central government scheme launched to bring transparency and efficiency to land records management in India. It involves computerization of land records, digitization of cadastral maps, computerization of registration, and integration of land records with registration. The programme aims to create a single window system for all land record services. All states are implementing DILRMP with central assistance to reduce land disputes and provide citizen services.

Correct Answer: A. Linking land records with Aadhaar numbers of landowners for better identity verification

Aadhaar Seeding in land records involves linking the Aadhaar numbers of landowners to their land records in the government databases. This helps in accurate identification of beneficiaries for government schemes like PM-KISAN, prevents identity fraud, and reduces ghost beneficiaries. Several state governments have made Aadhaar seeding mandatory for mutation and land registration. It also helps in detecting benami properties and duplicate entries in land records.

Correct Answer: A. A senior officer who heads the sub-division and supervises Tehsildars

The Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) is a senior revenue officer who heads the revenue sub-division, which is an administrative unit between the district and the tehsil. The SDO supervises the work of Tehsildars in the sub-division and hears appeals against Tehsildar's revenue orders. The SDO also has quasi-judicial powers in certain revenue and land matters. In some states, the SDO is called Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM).