RTI in Himachal Pradesh: HimBhoomi Land Records, HPSEBL Electricity, and Hydropower

Himachal Pradesh presents a set of RTI questions that are genuinely different from the plains states. The terrain shapes everything: hilly topography makes revenue surveys difficult, boundary disputes bleed into forest claims, hydropower development creates displacement and rehabilitation demands that run for years, and the restriction on non-agriculturists purchasing agricultural land generates an entire category of RTI applications that exists nowhere else in India at comparable volume. This guide goes deep on four areas: the HimBhoomi land records system, HPSEBL and electricity in a mountain state, hydropower project accountability, and the question of which bodies sit under the HP Information Commission (HPIC) and which are answerable to the Central Information Commission (CIC).

Land Records in Himachal Pradesh: The HimBhoomi Framework

The Digital Records System

HimBhoomi is Himachal Pradesh's computerised land records portal, developed under the National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP) and its successor the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). Through HimBhoomi, citizens can access digitised land records including Khasra registers and Khatauni records for most areas of the state.

As with other states that have digitised records, the digitally downloaded copy is useful for reference and verification. For legal proceedings — court cases, government applications, formal disputes — a certified copy bearing official attestation remains the appropriate document, and RTI remains an effective way to obtain it.

Key Terms

Khasra: The plot-level register. In Himachal Pradesh, the Khasra register records each land parcel in a village, with its survey number, area, nature of land (irrigated agricultural, unirrigated agricultural, horticultural, homestead, barren, forest, etc.), and the name of the person in occupation. The Khasra number is the primary identifier for any land parcel in HP.

Khatauni: The holder-wise rights record — equivalent to the Jamabandi in Punjab/Haryana but with the perspective organised by landholding family rather than by plot. The Khatauni for a particular holder lists all Khasra numbers that family holds, the area in each, and the nature of rights. In HP, both Khasra (plot-wise) and Khatauni (holder-wise) are maintained.

Intkal (Mutation): The process of updating records when land changes hands by inheritance, sale, or other transfer. Processed at Patwari and Tehsildar level.

Shajra / Naksha: The village cadastral map. In HP's hilly terrain, the Shajra is particularly important because boundaries are often described by reference to ridges, streams, and natural features that may shift over time — making the map an essential reference in boundary disputes.

The Revenue Hierarchy

Patwari (village-level custodian of Khasra, Khatauni, and Shajra) → Revenue Inspector (Kanungo) (field supervisor) → Tehsildar (approves mutations, hears disputes) → Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) → Deputy Commissioner (DC) → Divisional Commissioner → Board of Revenue (HP's apex revenue authority).

For RTI, direct your application to the CPIO of the Tehsildar's office (tehsil-level records) or the DC office (district-level matters). The Patwari is not typically designated as a CPIO but holds the physical records at village level.

The Non-Agriculturist Restriction: A Critical HP-Specific Issue

This is the single most distinctive feature of Himachal Pradesh's land law. The Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 (HP TLR Act) contains a provision that is unique in its strictness among Indian states: a person who is not an agriculturist — meaning not engaged in agriculture, not a resident of a village in HP, and not classified as an agricultural labourer in HP — cannot purchase agricultural land in Himachal Pradesh without obtaining prior permission from the state government.

This is not merely a procedural requirement. Violating this restriction is a criminal offence under the Act. Agricultural land purchased by a non-agriculturist without state government permission is liable to be confiscated by the government.

The practical context is that HP has faced significant pressure from outsiders — businesses, investors, and individuals from other states — seeking to purchase land in scenic areas like Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Dharamshala, and Kasauli. The restriction exists to protect the interests of the local agricultural community and prevent speculative acquisition of agricultural land.

RTI use cases for this restriction:

• Please confirm the land use classification in the Khasra register for Khasra number X in village X, panchayat X, tehsil X, district X — specifically whether it is recorded as agricultural, horticultural, homestead, or other.
• Please confirm whether any application for permission under the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 was submitted in respect of Khasra number X in village X for a purchase by a non-agriculturist, and if so, the outcome of that application.
• Please provide a copy of the permission (or refusal) order issued under the HP TLR Act for the proposed purchase of Khasra number X by named individual, if any such application was made.

This information is sought both by potential purchasers (to confirm due diligence) and by affected third parties (to challenge purchases that may have been made without required permission).

Benap Land: Unmeasured and Disputed

"Benap" is a term used in HP revenue records for land that has not been formally surveyed and measured. In the plains, virtually all agricultural land has been surveyed under the cadastral settlement. In HP's hilly and remote terrain — particularly in the higher elevations of districts like Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, and parts of Shimla and Kullu — significant areas remain unmeasured and their records are imprecise.

The problem with Benap land is that it often sits at the boundary between revenue land and forest land, and the precise line between the two has not been drawn on the ground. This creates disputes in which the Revenue Department classifies the land as revenue land (and may have issued Khasra entries for it) while the Forest Department claims the same land as forest.

RTI for Benap matters:

• Please confirm whether Khasra number X in village X, tehsil X is recorded as measured land or as Benap (unmeasured) land in the current Khasra register.
• Please confirm whether any survey proceedings are pending or have been completed for Khasra X and provide copies of any survey reports.
• Please provide the Revenue Department's classification of Khasra X — whether it is recorded as agricultural, homestead, grazing land, waste land, or other — and confirm whether the land is under any encroachment or boundary dispute proceedings.

Sirdar Rights and Tenure Types

Under the HP Abolition of Big Landed Estates and Land Reforms Act, 1953, feudal land holdings were redistributed to cultivating tenants. The Act created the tenure category of "Sirdar" — a person who holds land as a tenant under the Act and has been granted occupancy rights. Sirdar rights carry restrictions on transfer: a Sirdar cannot sell land to a non-agriculturist, and any sale is subject to the right of pre-emption by co-Sirdars.

RTI for tenure verification: please confirm the tenure type for Khasra number X — whether it is Bhumidhari (absolute ownership), Sirdar, or other — and confirm whether any transfer restriction applies to this khasra under the HP Abolition of Big Landed Estates Act or the HP TLR Act.

Forest-Revenue Boundary Disputes

Perhaps no category of land dispute is more common in HP than the boundary between revenue land and forest land. In a hilly state where forests cover a large proportion of the terrain, the cadastral maps (Shajra) were often not demarcated against forest boundaries with precision. Over decades, both the Revenue Department and the Forest Department have made claims — sometimes inconsistent — over the same parcels.

The most effective way to investigate such a dispute through RTI is to file simultaneously:

1. An RTI to the Tehsildar's office asking for the Khasra classification of the disputed land and the Shajra entry showing its recorded boundary.
2. An RTI to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the relevant Forest Division asking whether the same land parcel is recorded in the Forest Department's records as forest, reserved forest, or Protected Forest, and under what notification.

The responses — sometimes contradictory — then form the evidentiary basis for the appropriate appeal or legal proceeding.

Sample RTI Questions for Land Records

• Please provide a certified copy of the Khasra register entry for Khasra number X in village X, panchayat X, tehsil X, district X, showing the current land use classification, area, and the name of the person recorded as in possession.
• Please provide a certified copy of the Khatauni record for the landholding of name/Khewat number in village X, tehsil X, listing all Khasra numbers held.
• Please provide certified copies of all Intkal (mutation) proceedings for Khasra number X in village X, tehsil X from year to date.
• Please confirm whether Khasra number X in village X is classified as Benap (unmeasured) land and whether any survey proceedings are pending.
• Please confirm the tenure type (Bhumidhari/Sirdar/other) for Khasra number X and confirm whether any government permission was granted for the transfer of this Khasra to a non-agriculturist under the HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972.

HPSEBL: Electricity in Himachal Pradesh

Who HPSEBL Is

HPSEBL (Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited): the primary electricity utility in HP, handling generation (including some small hydro), distribution, and much of the transmission infrastructure for the state. It is a state government company under the Government of Himachal Pradesh and is therefore a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. Second appeals against HPSEBL go to the HP Information Commission (HPIC).

The electricity regulator, HPERC (HP Electricity Regulatory Commission), is a state statutory body under the Electricity Act, 2003. HPERC's tariff orders, licensing decisions, and regulatory proceedings are also accessible via RTI, with second appeals to HPIC.

HP's Energy Profile

Himachal Pradesh is a hydropower-surplus state. The rivers of HP — the Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and their tributaries — carry enormous hydroelectric potential, much of which has been tapped through large dams and run-of-river projects. HP generates more electricity than it consumes and exports the surplus to the national grid. This surplus supply means that domestic consumers in most areas of the state receive relatively reliable electricity, though infrastructure maintenance in snow-affected and remote areas remains a challenge.

The tariff structure in HP distinguishes between domestic consumers (including those in remote hill areas), commercial, industrial, and agricultural consumers. Correct categorisation of a consumer's connection is important for billing.

Common RTI Questions for HPSEBL

• Please provide copies of all monthly meter reading records for consumer number X for the period month/year to month/year, including whether each reading was actual or estimated.
• Please confirm whether any billing period during period for consumer number X was based on an estimated or average reading, and if so, the methodology used.
• Please confirm the tariff category currently applied to consumer number X and provide the HPERC tariff order under which this categorisation is made.
• Please provide the current status of new connection application number X submitted on date for premises in village X, tehsil X, and the expected date of energisation.
• Please provide the details and current status of maintenance complaint number X submitted on date regarding transformer failure serving village X.
• Please provide the records of power supply availability (hours per day) for village, tehsil, district X, for the period month/year to month/year, and any complaints logged regarding supply quality during this period.

Hydropower Projects: State vs. Central — A Critical Distinction

Himachal Pradesh has some of the largest hydropower projects in India, and the question of which RTI forum applies depends entirely on whether the project is executed by a state body, a joint venture, or a central PSU.

HPPCL: State-Level Projects → HPIC

HPPCL (Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited) is the state government company responsible for developing HP's own hydropower projects — those where the Government of Himachal Pradesh is implementing the project using the state's water resources under its own ownership. HPPCL is a state body → public authority → second appeal to HPIC.

RTI to HPPCL is relevant for: communities affected by state hydro projects (land acquisition records, rehabilitation and resettlement package details, colony construction status); persons who have been displaced and want to verify whether the R&R entitlements they were promised are reflected in official records; queries about the timeline and expenditure for a project under construction.

SJVN: Joint Venture → CIC

SJVN Ltd (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited) is a joint venture company, with shareholding shared between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh. The Nathpa Jhakri hydroelectric project on the Satluj is one of SJVN's flagship assets. Despite the HP government's stake, SJVN is classified as a Central PSU because the majority control and management rests with the Government of India. Second appeals against SJVN go to the Central Information Commission (CIC), not HPIC.

This is a common source of confusion. Community members near SJVN projects in HP who file RTI applications and then approach HPIC for second appeals are filing in the wrong forum.

NTPC: Central PSU → CIC

NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) operates hydropower projects in HP, including the Koldam Hydro Electric Project on the Beas. NTPC is a Central PSU → CIC. RTI applications about NTPC's HP projects should be directed to NTPC's CPIO at the relevant project office, with second appeals to CIC.

Private Hydro Developers: Not RTI-Applicable Directly

Several private companies have obtained licences to develop hydropower projects in HP under the HP State Electricity Board / HPERC licensing framework. Private companies are not public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. RTI does not apply to them directly.

However, the state and central regulatory bodies that licensed them are public authorities. RTI to HPERC (state body → HPIC) can obtain: the licence issued to a private developer for a named project; the conditions attached to the licence; and any show cause or compliance proceedings initiated by HPERC. RTI to the Revenue Department can obtain land acquisition proceedings. RTI to the Forest Department can obtain forest clearance records. The private developer itself is not subject to RTI, but the regulatory and governmental trail around it is.

Displacement and R&R: Using RTI Effectively

For communities displaced by hydropower projects — whether state, joint venture, or central — RTI is one of the most powerful tools for accountability:

For state projects (HPPCL) → file with CPIO at HPPCL and CPIO at Revenue Department (DC's office for the relevant district). Ask for: the land acquisition notification and award for the affected village; the R&R package approved by the government; the list of persons declared project-affected families (PAFs); and the disbursement records showing what compensation was paid to whom.

For SJVN or NTPC projects → file with CPIO at the relevant project office. For land acquisition (conducted by the state government even for central projects), file with the DC's office. The R&R policy and disbursement records are held by the project authority.

Urban and Planning Bodies in HP

HIMUDA (Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority): The state body for urban housing development. Develops residential plots and colonies, particularly in Shimla and district towns. State body → HPIC. RTI use cases: plot allotment status, development charges basis, possession timeline.

Municipal Corporation Shimla: State body → HPIC. RTI use cases: building plan approval for premises in Shimla; property tax assessment and basis; sanitation and public works contracts.

Dharamshala Municipal Council and other municipal bodies: State bodies → HPIC.

HP RERA: The state RERA authority. State statutory body → HPIC.

TCP Department (Town and Country Planning): Approves development permissions for areas outside municipal limits. In HP, this includes many popular tourist and residential areas where unregulated construction has been a significant concern. State body → HPIC. RTI use cases: development permission for construction at survey number X in village X; whether a specific construction has TCP approval; the planning zone for a specific area.

Central Bodies in HP: CIC, Not HPIC

A note on BRO: The Border Roads Organisation constructs and maintains roads in border areas of HP, particularly in Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Chamba. BRO is under the Ministry of Defence. Road construction contracts, procurement, and project timelines are disclosable — these are not exempt on security grounds. Only operational matters with a direct security implication attract Section 8(1)(a). For road construction affecting villages, RTI to BRO's local formation headquarters is an effective tool for understanding project timelines and expenditure.

Filing RTI Applications in Himachal Pradesh

State bodies (Tehsildar, DC Office, HPSEBL, HPPCL, HIMUDA, Municipal bodies, HP RERA, TCP): Use the HP state RTI portal if available — verify the current official URL before filing. Physical applications with ₹10 fee (under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005) can be sent to the CPIO. BPL cardholders are exempt on producing their BPL card.

Central bodies (IIT Mandi, NIT Hamirpur, AIIMS Bilaspur, SJVN, NTPC, BRO): Use the Central Government's rtionline.gov.in portal (verify the current official URL before filing), or send physical applications to the CPIO at the relevant central office.

First Appeal: File within 30 days of the CPIO's decision or the expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable, to the First Appellate Authority in the same organisation.

Second Appeal: To the HP Information Commission (HPIC) for state bodies; to the Central Information Commission (CIC) for central bodies including SJVN, NTPC, IITs, NITs, and AIIMS.

Himachal Pradesh's terrain makes its governance challenges distinctive, but it does not make RTI less useful — it makes it more necessary. From verifying whether a land purchase had the legally required government permission, to tracking whether a displaced family received the R&R package they were promised, RTI in HP operates on the same statutory foundation as everywhere else in India, with the same 30-day response clock and the same penalty provisions under Section 20 for wilful non-compliance.