Understanding Khatauni or Khetawni: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Khatauni or Khetawni

Land ownership in India is an essential legal matter, with various records maintained to ensure clarity over land ownership and usage rights. Among these documents, Khatauni or Khetawni plays a crucial role, especially concerning agricultural land. If you are a farmer, landowner, or someone involved in land transactions, understanding Khatauni is essential.

What Is the Purpose of Khatauni or Khetawni?

The Khatauni (also known as Khetawni in some states) is a land record maintained by the revenue department. It contains details about the land ownership and cultivation in a specific village or Tehsil. It lists the names of owners, cultivators, tenants, and the revenue that needs to be paid to the government.

The Khatauni is critical in maintaining the administrative framework for land revenue and ownership rights. It also serves as legal proof in case of land disputes, inheritance claims, and other legal matters involving land.

What Are the Details Found in a Khatauni or Khetawni?

A Khatauni document contains extensive information about agricultural land ownership. The following are the key details you can find:

1. Names of Owners and Cultivators: It records the names of landowners and individuals who are cultivating the land. In case of changes in ownership or tenancy, the Khatauni is updated accordingly.

2. Land Description: The total area of the land, its boundaries, and the type of agricultural land (irrigated or non-irrigated) are described.

3. Land Revenue Information: It provides details about the land revenue or tax that the owner is required to pay. This includes revenue payment schedules, dues, and arrears.

4. Cultivation Status: Information about the type of crops grown, whether the land is currently under cultivation or fallow, and whether the land is leased or used by tenants is noted.

5. Mortgages and Encumbrances: If the land has any mortgages, loans, or other legal encumbrances, this will be recorded in the Khatauni.

Obtaining Khatauni Details: The Traditional and Online Approach

In the past, obtaining Khatauni details meant visiting your local Tehsil or Jan Suvidha Centre, where the land records were manually maintained. However, with the advancement of digital platforms, most states have now moved this process online.

To make things easier, here’s how you can access Khatauni details for your land both offline and online.

Offline Method:

You can visit your local Tehsil or the Jan Suvidha Centre. The land records officer or Patwari will help you retrieve the Khatauni for a small fee.

Online Method:

Many states have now digitized their land records. Here’s how you can access Khatauni details in different states through online platforms:

• Andhra Pradesh: You can visit the MeeBhoomi Portal to access land records. (official website link - https://meebhoomi.ap.gov.in/)

• Bihar: Use the Bihar Bhumi website for Khatauni information. (official website link - https://biharbhumi.bihar.gov.in/Biharbhumi/)

• Haryana: Land records are available through the Jamabandi Haryana website. (official website link - https://jamabandi.nic.in/defaultpages/default)

• Chhattisgarh: The CG Bhuiyan portal provides access to Khatauni details. (official website link - https://bhuiyan.cg.nic.in/)

• Gujarat: The AnyROR Gujarat website offers online access to Khatauni and other land records. (official website link - https://anyror.gujarat.gov.in/)

• Himachal Pradesh: You can access land details through the Himachal Pradesh Revenue website. (official website link - https://himachal.nic.in/index.php?lang=1&dpt_id=13)

• Karnataka: The Landrecords karnataka website is available for land record searches. (official website link - https://landrecords.karnataka.gov.in/)

• Kerala: You can visit the E-Rekha Portal for land records. (official website link - https://dslr.kerala.gov.in/en/erekha/)

• Madhya Pradesh: Use the MP Bhulekh website for Khatauni details. (official website link - https://mpbhulekh.gov.in/mpbhulekh.do)

• Maharashtra: The MahaBhulekh platform provides access to land records in Maharashtra. (official website link - https://bhulekh.mahabhumi.gov.in/)

• Odisha: Access land records on the Bhulekh Odisha website. (official website link - https://bhulekh.ori.nic.in/RoRView.aspx)

• Punjab: Land records, including Khatauni, are available on the Punjab Land Records Society (PLRS) website. (official website link - https://jamabandi.punjab.gov.in/)

• Rajasthan: The Apna Khata portal offers access to Khatauni and other land records. (official website link - https://apnakhata.rajasthan.gov.in/)

• Uttarakhand: Land record services are available through the Bhulekh Uttarakhand portal. (official website link - https://bhulekh.uk.gov.in/)

• Tamil Nadu: Use the Tamil Nilam portal for land records, including Khatauni details. (official website link - https://tamilnilam.tn.gov.in/Revenue/login.html)

Difference Between Khasra and Khatauni

While both Khasra and Khatauni are critical land documents, they serve distinct purposes:

• Khasra: This document contains information about individual plots of land. It provides details about the specific plot’s boundaries, its usage (agricultural or otherwise), and the type of crops grown.

• Khatauni: The Khatauni, on the other hand, is more comprehensive. It includes all the land owned by a particular individual or family in a village, along with information about land revenue.

The primary difference is that the Khasra is focused on the cultivation and boundaries of a plot, whereas the Khatauni gives an overview of ownership and revenue details for all plots owned by a person in a particular area.

Are Khatauni and Khetawni the Same?

Yes, Khatauni and Khetawni are essentially the same document. The name varies depending on the state or region, but both terms refer to the same land record that tracks ownership, cultivation rights, and revenue details of agricultural land.

What Does Khatauni Refer to in English?

In English, Khatauni can be translated to the Register of Landholdings. This document serves as a register that tracks who owns the land, who is cultivating it, and the revenue to be paid for the land.

Difference Between Khatauni and Khewat

While Khatauni and Khewat are related, they have some differences in terms of content and purpose:

• Khatauni: This is a register of cultivation and revenue information. It details all the land owned by a specific individual in a village, along with cultivation and land revenue details.

• Khewat: The Khewat is more of an ownership record, listing all the historical ownership transfers. It provides a detailed ownership lineage, often used in legal disputes to determine the history of land ownership.

How to Get the Khatauni or Khewat Number?

If you need your Khatauni or Khewat number, you can follow one of these methods:

1. Tehsil Office Visit: Visit your local Tehsil office, where land records are maintained. Provide details about the land such as owner name and location, and the Patwari will help you retrieve the Khatauni or Khewat number.

2. Online Portal: Many states have launched online platforms for accessing land records. You can visit the respective state’s website, provide necessary details like village name and land survey number, and obtain your Khatauni or Khewat number.

Understanding the Difference Between Khata Number, Khasra Number, and Khatauni

• Khata Number: This is a unique number assigned to a particular individual who owns land in a village. It aggregates all the land owned by that person or entity.

• Khasra Number: A Khasra number refers to a specific plot of land in a village. It helps in identifying the exact boundaries of the land plot.

• Khatauni: As discussed, Khatauni refers to the overall register containing the names of the landowners, cultivators, and details about the revenue to be paid for the land.

The Khata Number is linked to a person, the Khasra Number to a specific plot of land, and the Khatauni is the comprehensive document covering ownership and revenue details.

Conclusion

Understanding land records is crucial, especially for farmers and landowners, and Khatauni is one of the most vital land documents in India. It ensures clarity in land ownership, revenue obligations, and cultivation rights. With more states moving their records online, accessing Khatauni details has become easier and more convenient.

By understanding the key differences between Khatauni, Khasra, Khewat, and other land records, you can better navigate legal issues, property disputes, and land transactions. Make sure to use the online resources available in your state to obtain and verify your land records regularly, ensuring they are always up-to-date.