A new law, the AP Land Titling Act 2023, has recently been enacted in Andhra Pradesh with little fanfare. This legislation establishes a register of immovable property rights, leading to the revision of revenue records in every village. Under the authority of a special Chief Secretary-level officer, the AP Land Authority will be established, with the responsibility of registering land rights vested in a Land Titling Officer.
The Act maintains a title registry containing comprehensive details, including information on property inheritance and claims related to the house. While this may sound promising, a significant twist exists. According to the Land Rights Act, once a landowner’s name is recorded in the register, disputes over the land cannot be taken to court. Any objections must be addressed in Revenue Tribunals.
The only avenue beyond this process involves challenging the decisions of the state-level tribunal in the High Court. However, in such cases, the High Court must appoint a special bench, leading to concerns about potential manipulations. Recent allegations of widespread tampering of records of private assets in AP, particularly in Ongole, have surfaced. Despite these allegations, no actions have been taken against those involved.
Critics claim that the YSRCP leaders might be attempting to acquire people’s property by instigating disputes. The Land Titling Act has faced strong opposition, with accusations that it aids mafia gangs. While political parties could educate the public about this Act, it is surprising that none have shown interest in protesting against it thus far.
