RTI in Bihar: Bhumi Land Records, NBPDCL/SBPDCL Electricity, and Revenue Administration

Bihar's land records system is one of the most complex in India — shaped by colonial surveys, incomplete revisional surveys, and a layered tenure structure that produces disputes at every level. This guide is a focused companion to the general Bihar RTI guide already on this site. It concentrates on three domains where Bihar citizens most frequently need RTI: the Bhumi land records system, the two state electricity distribution companies, and urban infrastructure bodies. A brief table of Central Government bodies present in Bihar is included at the end.

All state government bodies in Bihar are subject to the Bihar Information Commission (BIC) under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005 for second appeals. Central Government bodies go to the Central Information Commission.

Part 1: Bihar Bhumi — Bihar Land Records

The Bihar Bhumi System

The Revenue Department of Bihar maintains land records through the Bihar Bhumi portal and at the Anchal (Circle) level. An Anchal is a sub-block administrative unit. The Circle Officer (CO), also called the Anchal Adhikari, heads the Anchal Karyalay (Circle Office) and is the frontline revenue officer responsible for mutation, land records, and field survey matters. The CO functions under the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), who in turn reports to the District Collector.

The Bihar Land Revenue Act, 1885 (as amended) and the Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885 together form the legal backbone of Bihar's land tenure system. These colonial-era laws, with subsequent state amendments, still govern the basic classification of land holdings in Bihar.

Key Land Record Concepts in Bihar

Khesra (Plot Number)

In Bihar, the basic cadastral identifier of a land parcel is the Khesra number (spelt also as Khasra in some documents — the terms are interchangeable in Bihar usage). Each village has a Khesra register assigning a unique number to every plot in the village boundary.

Khatauni / Khatiyan (Record of Rights)

The Khatauni (or Khatiyan) is the Bihar equivalent of the Jamabandi or Record of Rights in other states. It is a holder-wise register: for each landholder (Raiyat), it lists all the Khesra numbers they hold, the area, the tenure type, and any encumbrances. There are different types of Khatiyans corresponding to different survey operations and tenure categories.

Survey Types: CS, RS, and the Discrepancy Problem

This is central to understanding Bihar land disputes:

• CS (Cadastral Survey): Conducted under British rule, primarily in the early 20th century. The CS Khatiyan and CS map are the oldest authoritative records for most villages.
• RS (Revisional Survey): Conducted by the state government after Independence to update the CS records. The RS was completed in many districts but is incomplete in significant portions of Bihar. Where RS was completed, the RS Khatiyan supersedes the CS Khatiyan.
• The discrepancy problem: In many villages, the RS and CS records do not match. Names changed, plots were consolidated or split differently, and boundaries shifted. These discrepancies are a primary source of land litigation in Bihar. RTI to the Revenue Department to obtain both the CS and RS Khatiyan for the same plot is the first step in understanding a discrepancy.

The state has also been conducting a Special Survey (Vishesh Survekshan) to create updated records in villages where CS or RS data is outdated or disputed.

Dakhil Kharij — Mutation in Bihar

Mutation in Bihar is called Dakhil Kharij. It is processed at the Anchal Karyalay (Circle Office) by the Circle Officer. The process involves:

1. Application to the Circle Office
2. Field inspection by the Revenue Inspector (Rajaswa Nirikshak)
3. Publication of a public notice
4. Hearing of objections
5. Order of the Circle Officer
6. Update of the Khatauni

Until Dakhil Kharij is complete, the old owner's name remains in the Khatauni. In Bihar, many sale transactions remain unmutated for years — sometimes because of objections, sometimes due to administrative delays. The entire Dakhil Kharij file is accessible through RTI.

Land Classifications in Bihar

Bihar's revenue law distinguishes between several types of land:

• Raiyati land: Land held by a Raiyat (tenant-holder) with permanent, heritable rights — the most common form of private land ownership in Bihar
• Gair Mazrua Khas: Government-owned land not assigned for any public use — often encroached upon
• Gair Mazrua Aam: Common land for public use (roads, cremation grounds, ponds, grazing land)
• Abadi land: Village settlement (homestead) land
• Bakasht land: Land reclaimed by a zamindar before abolition; now government-vested after zamindari abolition
• Jagir/Inam land: Historically granted land, now largely resumed

The classification determines whether you can sell the land, build on it, or use it for commercial purposes.

Sample RTI Questions for Bihar Bhumi / Revenue Records

Khatauni — certified copy

"Please provide a certified copy of the current Khatauni (Khatiyan) for Khesra number X in Mouza X, Halka X, Anchal X, Sub-Division X, District X. Please indicate which survey the Khatauni is based on — CS, RS, or Special Survey — and the name of the Circle Officer whose office has custody of this record."

Mutation (Dakhil Kharij) history

"Please provide the complete Dakhil Kharij (mutation) history for Khesra number X in Mouza X, Anchal X, District X from the year X to date. For each mutation case, please provide: the case number, the date of the Circle Officer's order, the names of the transferor and transferee, the reason for mutation (sale/inheritance/gift/partition/court decree), and whether any appeal was filed against the mutation order."

Court attachment or encumbrance

"Please inform me whether any court attachment, lis pendens notation, or other encumbrance is currently recorded against Khesra number X in Mouza X, Anchal X, District X. If yes, please provide a copy of the relevant notation and the case number of the court or authority that issued the attachment or encumbrance."

Pending Dakhil Kharij status

"Please provide the current status of Dakhil Kharij application case number X filed at the Anchal Karyalay, Anchal X, District X on date in respect of Khesra number X, Mouza X. Please state: whether the Revenue Inspector's field inspection report has been submitted to the Circle Officer; whether a public notice was published; whether any objections were received; and the date of the last hearing or order in the case."

Land classification query

"Please clarify the classification of Khesra number X in Mouza X, Anchal X, District X as maintained in the current Khatauni. Specifically: whether the land is classified as Raiyati (private tenant-held land), Gair Mazrua Khas (government-owned), Gair Mazrua Aam (common public land), Abadi (homestead), or any other category. Please provide the basis of this classification and whether it was determined in the CS Survey, RS Survey, or Special Survey."

CS versus RS discrepancy

"Please provide both the Cadastral Survey (CS) Khatiyan and the Revisional Survey (RS) Khatiyan for Khesra number X in Mouza X, Halka X, Anchal X, District X. If the two Khatiyans differ in name, area, or classification, please provide any order or proceeding that addressed this discrepancy."

Bihar Special Survey

Bihar has been conducting a Special Survey (Vishesh Survekshan) to update records in many revenue villages. This survey creates new Khatiyans intended to supersede outdated CS/RS records. However, progress is uneven.

"Please inform me whether the Special Survey for Mouza X, Anchal X, District X has been completed. If completed, please provide the date of completion and whether the updated Khatiyan is available and has been incorporated into the records at the Anchal Karyalay. If not yet completed, please provide the expected date of completion and the current stage of the survey in this Mouza."

Homestead (Vashistha) Land

Under the Bihar homestead land distribution scheme, landless families are entitled to homestead plots (known locally as Vashistha Bhumi). RTI can be used to verify whether allotments were made fairly in your village.

"Please provide the complete list of homestead land allotments made to landless families in Village/Gram Panchayat, Anchal X, Block X, District X under the Bihar homestead land distribution scheme. For each allotment, please state: the name of the beneficiary, the Khesra number allotted, the area, and the date of the allotment order."

Part 2: Bihar Electricity — NBPDCL and SBPDCL

The Two Distribution Companies

Bihar has two electricity distribution companies, dividing the state geographically:

Both are state government companies under the Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd (BSPHCL) parent structure. RTI applications to either DISCOM go to the respective CPIO at divisional or circle level, with second appeals to the Bihar Information Commission (BIC).

The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) is the statutory regulator for electricity in Bihar. As a statutory body created by state law, BERC is also subject to BIC for second appeals.

Sample RTI Questions for Bihar DISCOMs

Billing records and estimated meter readings

"Please provide the actual meter reading records for consumer number X (Account number X) at address, DISCOM zone for the past 12 billing months. For each month, please state: the date of meter reading, the reading recorded, whether the reading was actual or estimated, and if estimated, the basis for the estimate. Please also provide copies of any consumer complaint or grievance application filed by this consumer in the past two years."

New service connection status

"Please provide the complete status of new service connection application number X for address, district/town submitted on date. Please specifically state: whether a site inspection has been conducted and the date of the inspection report; whether transformer capacity is adequate or an upgrade has been requested; and the current position of the application in the approval queue for this distribution circle."

Disconnection without notice

"Please provide: (a) a copy of the demand notice issued before disconnection of consumer number X at address on date; (b) the provision of the Bihar Electricity Supply Code or applicable tariff order under which this disconnection was authorised; and (c) the name and designation of the officer who authorised the disconnection. Please also confirm whether the mandatory notice period prior to disconnection was complied with."

Agricultural connection and metering policy

"Please provide: (a) the current status of agricultural connection application number X filed on date for address/Khasra number, village, block; (b) whether the connection, if provided, is metered or unmetered/flat-rate; (c) the DISCOM's current policy on agricultural connections in this area — specifically, whether metered connections are being provided to new applicants or if unmetered flat-rate connections continue; and (d) the waiting list position of this application in the relevant feeder/distribution circle."

Transformer fault complaint

"Please provide: the date of registration of the complaint regarding the breakdown/fault of the distribution transformer serving locality, block/district, bearing any complaint or reference number. The current status of repair or replacement. The expected date of restoration. The applicable standard response time for transformer faults in rural/urban areas as per BERC's Quality of Supply standards."

Part 3: Urban Bodies and State Institutions in Bihar

Patna Municipal Corporation and Other Urban Bodies

Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is the principal urban local body for the state capital. Other cities with Nagar Nigams or Nagar Parishads include Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, and several others. All are state bodies subject to BIC.

Property tax assessment

"Please provide the property tax assessment record for the property at address, Ward X, Patna Municipal Corporation / Nagar Nigam name. Please state: the basis of assessment (self-assessment/survey assessment), the Annual Rental Value (ARV) or capital value determined, the date of last revision, and the total outstanding tax dues as of today."

Building plan approval and completion certificate

"Please provide: (a) a copy of the approved building plan for the construction at address bearing approval number X; (b) the date of sanction and the sanctioning authority; (c) whether a completion or occupancy certificate has been issued; and (d) the current status if the completion certificate application has not yet been decided."

BUIDCO — Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation

The Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO) implements housing and urban infrastructure projects in Bihar, including flats and housing schemes for various categories. BUIDCO is a state body subject to BIC.

Housing scheme allotment RTI

"Please provide the complete list of beneficiaries allotted flats/plots under the scheme name housing scheme by BUIDCO in city/project name along with the allotment letters, allotment dates, and the criteria applied for selection. Please also state whether any allotment has been cancelled and the reason for cancellation."

Project completion status

"Please provide the current construction status of the BUIDCO housing project at project name/location. The expected date of completion as per the agreement with the contractor, the current stage of construction, the number of units completed and handed over to allottees, and the total number of units pending handover."

Bihar RERA

The Bihar Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Bihar RERA) is established under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. It is a state statutory body subject to BIC.

Developer registration and compliance

"Please provide the RERA registration certificate for the project project name by developer developer name, city/district, bearing RERA registration number X. Please also provide: the registered completion date, the latest quarterly progress report filed by the promoter, and details of any complaint or enforcement action registered against this project."

Part 4: Central Government Bodies in Bihar

Several large employers and infrastructure operators in Bihar are Central Government public authorities. RTI to these bodies goes to the Central Information Commission (CIC), not BIC.

Note on NTPC: The Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Station and Barh Super Thermal Power Project are Central PSU facilities. RTI for land acquisition, employment, environmental clearance, or CSR activities at these plants goes to the CIC.

Practical Filing Tips for Bihar

Address mutation RTI to the Circle Officer: For Dakhil Kharij and Khatauni matters, the correct CPIO is the Public Information Officer, Office of the Circle Officer, Anchal X, District X. The Anchal Inspector (Revenue Inspector) below the CO is not a CPIO.

Specify Mouza and Halka, not just village: Bihar revenue records are organised by Mouza (revenue village) and Halka (a cluster of Mouzas under one Revenue Inspector). Use the Mouza name from your Khatiyan rather than the common village name, as these can differ.

Survey year matters: Always specify whether you are seeking CS (Cadastral Survey), RS (Revisional Survey), or current records. The answer will be different depending on which survey applies to your Mouza.

Fee: ₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005, payable by Indian Postal Order, demand draft, or court fee stamp. BPL cardholders are exempt under Section 7(5).

Response deadline: 30 days under Section 7(1). If no response, the silence constitutes a deemed refusal — file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) within 30 days of the deadline expiry. Second appeals go to BIC.

All state bodies in this guide are subject to BIC. Verify current CPIO addresses on the official department websites before filing.