Patna: In a significant move to resolve hurdles in land acquisition, Bihar’s Revenue and Land Reforms Department has decided that only the actual occupants of land in consolidation villages will receive compensation. Additional Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar Singh issued instructions to all district magistrates clarifying that where discrepancies exist between Khatian, Jamabandi, and Dakhil Kabza records, payments will be made solely to the occupant raiyat.
Under the Bihar Consolidation Act, 1956, consolidation was initiated in 5,657 villages across the state. The process has been completed in 2,158 villages with notifications issued. However, many raiyats continue to hold possession based on old survey khatian records (CS/RS), despite updated consolidation khatian and register-2 jamabandi data.
Deepak noted that mismatches between consolidation khatian, online jamabandi, and actual land possession are delaying compensation payments, affecting development projects.
To resolve this, the department directed that compensation be paid to the person in physical possession of the khesra or its portion being acquired, provided they are not encroachers and their claim is validated by previous khatian or transactions based on it.
District land acquisition officers have been told to issue clear, self-contained orders explaining the basis for payments to actual occupants, even if records do not match khatian or jamabandi entries.
Legal consultations have been undertaken, and amendments to relevant Acts are underway. However, this interim solution has been implemented immediately to ensure development work continues without disruption.
