Ahmedabad: Farmers buying agricultural land within Ahmedabad’s western city limits must declare every agricultural plot they own anywhere in Gujarat before their names can be entered in the official revenue records for the new purchase. A circular issued by the city deputy collector and sub-divisional magistrate (west) on Aug 20 has made the submission of a sworn affidavit mandatory at e-Dhara centres in Ghatlodia, Vejalpur, and Sabarmati — the three talukas that fall under the jurisdiction of the deputy collector, west.The affidavit requires buyers to disclose total agricultural landholdings across the state. If those disclosures reveal that the buyer holds land exceeding the limits prescribed under the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling Act, 1976, legal action may be initiated. If the affidavit is not submitted, the buyer’s name will not be entered in the revenue records — effectively stalling any mutation process.The circular states, “It has come to notice that in mutation entries for agricultural-to-agricultural land sales, the buyer account-holder farmer is not submitting an affidavit declaring that they do not hold land in excess of the agricultural land ceiling.”Henceforth, the circular says, all mamlatdars, deputy mamlatdars (e-Dhara), and mutation officers under this sub-division are instructed to obtain an affidavit from the purchasing farmer stating that they do not hold land exceeding the land ceiling limit.“If they hold other agricultural lands in the state of Gujarat, those details must be disclosed, and they must declare on oath if they do not hold any other agricultural land in any other village within the state of Gujarat,” the circular adds.Deepak Patel, an advocate, said, “Whenever a farmer purchases agricultural land, a sale deed is executed, and stamp duty as well as registration fees are paid to the state govt.”He said, “Therefore, it is essential that their name is entered in the revenue records within a stipulated timeframe. While it is stated that this provision exists in law, it is necessary to establish a system that ensures applicants’ names are updated in the revenue records on time following this circular.”The circular addresses a compliance gap that revenue officers identified, where buyers completed land purchases and initiated mutation entries without declaring existing landholdings — defeating the purpose of the ceiling law.KEY POINTS•Buyers of agricultural land in western Ahmedabad city must now declare all agricultural land owned across Gujarat.• Without a sworn affidavit, revenue officials will not process mutation entries in land records.• Authorities will verify whether a buyer exceeds limits under the Gujarat Agricultural Lands Ceiling Act.• Buyers found holding land beyond the prescribed ceiling could face legal proceedings.• The move seeks to prevent farmers from acquiring land without disclosing existing holdings elsewhere in the state.• Legal experts support the step but caution against delays in updating revenue records after land purchases.
