Report No. 249

23. Bengal Ghatwali Lands Act, Act 5 of 1859

Category: Land Laws

Recommendation: Repeal in consultation with relevant State(s)

The Act empowered the holders of ghatwali lands in the district of Birbhum in West Bengal to grant leases extending beyond the period of their own possession. The Act was enacted specifically for the benefit of ghatwals who paid the revenue of their lands directly to the Government under Regulation 29, 1814 of the Bengal Code. This system of land revenue administration no longer exists.

However, the power to repeal or amend this law rests with the concerned State legislature. Therefore, the Central Government should write to the concerned State Government recommending the review of this law by the State, with a view to repeal. The Central Government should also remove this law from its lists of central Acts in force. This Act has also been recommended for repeal by the PC Jain Commission Report (Appendix A-5).