In a landmark step towards consolidating and simplifying the complex land laws and administrative procedures, the government on Thursday announced the successful compilation and release of a comprehensive Revenue Manual which, according to an official release, is aimed at providing a definitive, legally guided roadmap to eliminating drudgery, deviation and ignorance in implementing the laws, including the crucial aspects of settlements, assignments, land acquisition and Record of Rights.
The Revenue Manual was drafted under the leadership of the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA) G. Jayalakshmi and Additional CCLA-cum-Secretary (Revenue Department) N. Prabhakara Reddy, who chaired the Revenue Manual Committee, on being instructed by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad to do the much-needed streamlining of the land laws.
Benefits
The key impacts and benefits of the new Revenue Manual are consolidation of knowledge — it serves as a ready reckoner for revenue officers; enhanced clarity & simplification — it has laid down a simplified framework of legal and administrative procedures related to the land laws; improved service delivery — contains comprehensive guidelines and clear procedures that facilitate speedy and accurate delivery of the services; empowerment of functionaries — the manual equips theemployees with a legally guided roadmap that helps them avoid legal challenges and empowers them to perform their duties with greater confidence and precision; and foundation for digital transformation— it is designed as a foundational repository for future technological advancements, including the development of chatbots, FAQs, automation, and voice-based interactive solutions.
Complexity
The release stated that the revenue administration in Andhra Pradesh has historically been characterised by profound complexity stemming from its 19th-century origins in the British Administration of Madras Presidency. This system underwent numerous transformations over 150 years and continued to evolve rapidly post independence to align with the democratic aspirations and socialist ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
This intricate backdrop was further complicated by the issuance of countless executive instructions, necessitating the integration of historical land tenurial systems with modern revenue laws, settlement laws, and all relevant executive directives.
The sheer enormity and paramount nature of this task resulted in revenue functionaries being in a big state of chaos due to the fragmented and often contradictory nature of existing records and guidelines, and critical gaps in the administration, which left both the officers and citizens without a clear and coherent understanding of land laws. The Revenue Manual was brought out to address these serious challenges and establish a settled understanding of land laws.
Published – July 10, 2025 09:06 pm IST
