Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has introduced a key reform in the land revenue system by amending provisions of Section 135-D of the Land Revenue Act, 1879, aimed at simplifying property transactions and enhancing transparency.

Announcing the decision, state spokesperson minister Jitu Vaghani said that significant amendments have been made to Section 135-D of the Gujarat Land Revenue Act, 1879, as part of a broader revenue simplification initiative. With this reform, citizens will no longer be required to wait for the mandatory 30-day notice period in lawful land and property transactions.

The minister stated that the earlier provision often led to unnecessary delays, forcing buyers and sellers to wait for 30 days even in undisputed cases. This window was frequently misused by certain elements who raised frivolous objections to extort money from parties involved in transactions. Recognising these challenges, the state government has removed the mandatory notice requirement in specific categories to benefit farmers and the middle class.

As per the revised provisions, transactions will be directly recorded on the same day, without issuing a 135-D notice, if the following conditions are met:

– No changes have been recorded in the land records for at least one year
– The land is free from litigation or pending claims
– Peaceful possession is established
– All stakeholders listed in the 7/12 land record have signed the sale deed

In such cases, the entry will be immediately certified as a ‘final entry’ (paki entry), eliminating procedural delays.

Additionally, orders passed by competent courts or tribunals will now be implemented directly without the need to issue a 135-D notice, further expediting the process.

For cases requiring scrutiny, such as recent changes in records within one year, transactions executed through Power of Attorney (PoA), absence of signatures from all recorded stakeholders, or pending disputes, the notice period has been significantly reduced from 30 days to just 7 days. During this period, genuine claimants can present supporting evidence to safeguard their interests.

The minister added that the reform will not only benefit agricultural landholders but also citizens purchasing shops, flats, and residential properties. It will simplify transactions among direct-line heirs and reduce unnecessary legal complications.

He further noted that numerous cases pending in revenue courts, from Mamlatdar level to SSRD, were delayed primarily due to objections under Section 135-D. These are now expected to be resolved faster. The amendment is also likely to curb blackmailing practices where individuals exploited outdated agreements or informal documents to raise false claims amid rising property values.

The government believes that this reform will significantly reduce disputes, improve efficiency, and instil confidence among buyers and sellers, enabling them to carry out transactions without fear. DeshGujarat