RTI in Madhya Pradesh: Bhuiyan Land Records, MP DISCOMs, and Revenue Administration

Madhya Pradesh — the heart of India — spans a vast agricultural belt where land records, electricity connections, and local governance touch the lives of millions. This guide is a focused companion to the general Madhya Pradesh RTI guide already on this site. It drills into three specific domains where MP citizens file the highest volume of RTI applications: the Bhuiyan land records system, the three state electricity distribution companies, and revenue administration through tehsils and urban bodies.

All the bodies covered here are state government authorities. Under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005, second appeals for state government bodies in Madhya Pradesh go to the Madhya Pradesh Information Commission (MPIC), not the Central Information Commission. Exceptions for Central Government bodies present in MP are noted explicitly.

Part 1: Bhuiyan — Madhya Pradesh Land Records

What the Bhuiyan System Is

The Revenue Department of Madhya Pradesh maintains land records through the Bhuiyan portal (also known as MP Bhuiyan). The digital system covers land records at the Patwari Halka level — a Halka being a cluster of villages under one Patwari's jurisdiction. The portal makes basic records viewable online, but viewing is not the same as a certified copy, and the full paper trail behind any entry is only accessible through the Revenue Office or an RTI application.

The Tehsildar (and the Naib Tehsildar who assists) is the correct CPIO for most land record RTI applications at tehsil level. District-level revenue matters are addressed to the Collector's office. The MP Revenue Department also has a Commissioner at the divisional level for appellate matters.

Key Land Record Concepts in Madhya Pradesh

Khasra Khatauni (Record of Rights)

The Khasra Khatauni is the fundamental land record in MP. It brings together, for each plot number:

• The name of the Bhumiswaami (owner-cultivator) and any other holders
• The area of the plot in hectares
• The land classification — agricultural, residential, commercial, or government
• The current land use — whether the land is under cultivation, fallow, or built-upon
• The name of the cultivating tenant or occupant if different from the owner
• Any encumbrances, court stays, or restrictions noted against the plot

The Khasra Khatauni is updated annually. The annual update incorporates new mutations, court orders, and Girdawari (crop inspection) entries made during the year.

B1 (Annual Crop Report)

The B1 is the season-wise crop register maintained by the Patwari. It records, for each Khasra number, which crop was sown, by whom, over what area, and in which season (Kharif or Rabi). The B1 is prepared after physical field inspection each season. If the Patwari has recorded the wrong name, wrong area, or wrong crop — all of which happen and all of which have serious consequences for crop insurance, loan eligibility, and compensation — the B1 is the document you need to challenge.

Naksha (Cadastral Map)

The Naksha is the cadastral map for a revenue village, showing the boundary and shape of each Khasra plot. Boundary disputes, encroachments, and road enclosures all require the Naksha as documentary evidence. The digital Naksha is available through the Bhuiyan portal for some villages but the paper Naksha at the Patwari office is the legally authoritative version.

Khasra Passbook

The Khasra Passbook is issued to the registered landowner and serves as a portable summary of their holdings under the Bhuiyan system. If a passbook has not been issued, if it is incorrect, or if it has not been updated after a mutation, RTI can be used to compel the record.

Land Ownership Categories in MP

MP revenue law recognises several categories of ownership:

• Bhumiswaami: the full owner-cultivator with permanent heritable rights
• Bhumiswaami with restrictions: owner with certain restrictions on alienation (including assigned-land beneficiaries)
• Government land (Camp/Rakba): land vested in the state, including public roads, water bodies, and government buildings
• Forest land (Van Vibhag): recorded under the Forest Department; transfer or use changes require forest clearance

The classification of a plot is frequently disputed — particularly when government land adjoins private land or when forest land has been in cultivation for generations.

Namantraan — Mutation in MP

In Madhya Pradesh, mutation of land records is called Namantraan (नामांतरण). When land is sold, inherited, gifted, or partitioned, the new owner must apply for Namantraan at the Tehsil office. The process involves:

1. Application to the Tehsildar
2. Patwari field inspection and report
3. Public notice with an objection period
4. Hearing of any objections
5. Order of the Tehsildar / Naib Tehsildar
6. Updating the Khasra Khatauni

The entire file — application, Patwari report, notice, objections, hearing record, and final order — is a government record. RTI gives you access to each of these documents if you are a party to the mutation or have a legitimate interest.

Sample RTI Questions for Bhuiyan / Revenue Records

Khasra Khatauni — certified copy

"Please provide a certified copy of the Khasra Khatauni for Khasra number X in Village X, Patwari Halka X, Tehsil X, District X for the current year. Please also provide the name of the Patwari responsible for the Halka and the date on which the Khasra Khatauni was last updated."

Mutation (Namantraan) history

"Please provide the complete Namantraan (mutation) history for Khasra number X in Village X, Tehsil X, District X from the year X to date. For each Namantraan, please provide: the mutation number, the date of the order, the names of all parties, the reason for mutation (sale/inheritance/court decree/partition), and the name of the Tehsildar or Naib Tehsildar who passed the order."

Court stay or restriction noted against a plot

"Please inform me whether any dispute, court stay, attachment, or restriction is currently noted against Khasra number X in Village X, Tehsil X, District X in the revenue records. If yes, please provide a copy of the relevant notation, the court or authority that issued the stay/attachment, and the case number."

Pending Namantraan application status

"Please provide the current status of mutation application (Namantraan) reference number X filed at Tehsil X on date in respect of Khasra number X, Village X, District X. Please state: whether the Patwari inspection report has been submitted; whether a public notice was issued and if so the date; whether any objections were received; and the date of the next hearing, if scheduled."

Land use classification

"Please clarify the current classification of Khasra number X, Village X, Tehsil X, District X in the revenue records: whether it is classified as agricultural, residential, commercial, or government land. Please provide the basis for this classification — whether it was determined at the time of the cadastral survey, by a subsequent order, or by a conversion (Bhu-Upayog Parivartan) proceeding — and a copy of any such order."

PMFBY Crop Insurance Disputes

Madhya Pradesh is one of India's largest agricultural states and a major participant in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Disputes over crop insurance claims — missed surveys, incorrect area, rejected claims, late payments — are extremely common. The RTI questions below target the revenue and agriculture departments that are responsible for survey and notification under PMFBY.

Surveyor's report and claim determination

"Please provide the surveyor's report conducted for the PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) claim filed for Khasra number X, Village X, Tehsil X, District X for Kharif/Rabi season year, bearing claim reference number X (if known). Please also provide the claim amount determined by the company/government and the basis for any rejection or reduction of the claim."

Crop loss notification by the government

"Please provide details of whether a crop loss notification was issued by the Revenue or Agriculture Department for Village/Tehsil/District for Kharif/Rabi season year under PMFBY. If yes, please provide the notification date, the percentage of crop loss declared, and the list of Khasra numbers covered in the notification."

Part 2: MP Electricity DISCOMs

The Three Distribution Companies

Madhya Pradesh has three state electricity distribution companies, each covering a distinct geographic zone:

All three are state government companies. RTI applications to any of them go to their respective CPIO, and second appeals go to the Madhya Pradesh Information Commission (MPIC).

MP also has MPPTCL (MP Power Transmission Company) for the transmission network and MPPMCL (MP Power Management Company) for bulk power procurement — both state bodies subject to MPIC jurisdiction.

The MPERC (Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission) is the statutory regulator. As a statutory body created by state law, it is also subject to MPIC for second appeals.

Sample RTI Questions for MP DISCOMs

Meter reading records and estimated billing

"Please provide the actual meter reading records for consumer 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 (average/formula used). Please also provide copies of any field inspection or consumer complaint records related to this consumer number."

New service connection status

"Please provide the complete status of new service connection application number X for address, town/village, DISCOM zone submitted on date. Please specifically state: whether a site inspection has been conducted, the date of the inspection report, whether any high-tension line extension or transformer capacity upgrade is pending, and the current queue position for approval. If there is any pending requirement from the applicant, please state what it is."

Agricultural (metered) connection waiting list

"Please provide the current status of agricultural connection application number X in feeder/distribution circle submitted on date. Please also provide: the current waiting list position for new agricultural connections on this feeder, the total number of applications pending ahead of this application, and the policy or procedure by which the DISCOM prioritises agricultural connection applications in this circle."

Disconnection notice and authority

"Please provide: (a) a copy of the demand notice or disconnection notice issued before the disconnection of consumer number X at address on date; (b) the provision of the MP Electricity Supply Code under which the disconnection was authorised; (c) the name and designation of the officer who authorised the disconnection; and (d) whether the required notice period was adhered to before disconnection."

Transformer complaint and replacement timeline

"Please provide: the date on which a complaint was registered regarding the breakdown of the distribution transformer serving locality/village, tehsil/district, bearing transformer ID or location X (if known). The current status of repair/replacement. The expected date of replacement. The DISCOM's standard timeline for transformer replacement as per its Consumer Charter or published service standards."

Part 3: Revenue Administration and Urban Bodies in MP

MP Revenue Administration

The revenue administration structure in Madhya Pradesh runs: Patwari (village level) → Naib Tehsildar / Tehsildar (tehsil level) → Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) → Collector (district level) → Commissioner (divisional level) → Board of Revenue (state appellate level).

RTI applications targeting revenue records are most efficiently addressed to the Tehsildar as CPIO for tehsil-level records. For district-wide matters, the Collector's office is appropriate. Second appeals go to MPIC.

RTI questions for revenue administration (beyond land records)

Compensation for land acquisition

"Please provide the notification issued under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 for the acquisition of land in village/tehsil for the project name, e.g. road/railway. For survey number X, please state: the area proposed for acquisition, the circle rate and market rate considered for compensation, and whether the compensation award has been passed. If passed, please provide the award amount and the date of payment or deposit."

Patta land status

"Please confirm the current status of the application for regularisation of residential plot at location, village/tehsil/district. Whether a government order (Patta) has been issued. The date of the order, the grantee's name, and the plot area as recorded in the order."

Urban Bodies in MP

Madhya Pradesh has several large Nagar Nigams (Municipal Corporations): Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, and several Tier-2 cities. Smaller towns have Nagar Palikas and Nagar Panchayats. All these urban bodies are state government authorities subject to MPIC for second appeals.

Property tax assessment

"Please provide the property tax assessment record for the property at address bearing Property Tax number / House Number, Ward X, Nagar Nigam/Nagar Palika. Please state the basis for the current annual rateable value — when it was last assessed, the assessing officer's name, and whether the property has been categorised as residential, commercial, or mixed. Please also provide the total outstanding dues and the date up to which taxes have been paid."

Building plan approval and occupancy certificate

"Please provide: (a) a copy of the approved building plan for the property at address bearing MR number X / application number X; (b) the date of sanction and the name of the officer who approved it; (c) whether a completion certificate (Samapti Praman Patra) and/or occupancy certificate has been issued; and (d) if an occupancy certificate has not been issued, the reason and current status of the application."

Unauthorised construction complaints

"Please provide details of any complaint registered regarding unauthorised construction at address — the date of complaint, the action taken, and whether a notice under the relevant MP Municipal Corporation Act provisions was issued to the occupant. If demolition was ordered, please provide the order and the date of execution."

RERA MP

The Madhya Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA MP) is a state statutory body established under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016. It is subject to MPIC for second appeals.

RTI questions for RERA MP

Project registration and compliance

"Please provide the RERA registration certificate for the project project name by developer developer name in city/district, bearing RERA registration number X (if known). Please also provide: the registered completion date, the last compliance report filed by the developer, and details of any complaints or enforcement actions registered against this project with RERA MP."

Developer's quarterly progress report

"Please provide the quarterly progress reports filed by the promoter for RERA-registered project project name / registration number for the quarters X to X. These reports are required under Section 11 of the RERA Act."

Part 4: Central Government Bodies in Madhya Pradesh

Not all major employers and infrastructure providers in MP are state bodies. Several significant entities are Central Government public authorities, and RTI applications to them go to the Central Information Commission (CIC), not MPIC.

Note on coal: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), headquartered in Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), operates many coal mines in Madhya Pradesh — particularly in the Singrauli, Umaria, and Shahdol districts. As a Coal India subsidiary, SECL is a Central PSU. RTI to SECL for land acquisition, resettlement, and employment matters goes to the CIC, not MPIC.

Practical Filing Tips for Madhya Pradesh

Address revenue RTI to the Tehsildar: For land records, mutation, and crop records, address the RTI to the Public Information Officer, Office of the Tehsildar, Tehsil, District. The Revenue Inspector or Patwari below the Tehsildar is not a CPIO.

Specify the Khasra number precisely: In MP, Khasra numbers can be fractional (e.g., Khasra 234/1, 234/2 after a partition). Include the complete Khasra number including any subdivision number to avoid the response covering only the parent plot.

Fasli year: MP revenue records are maintained in Fasli year (the agricultural calendar year). The current Fasli year is 1434 (2026-27). When requesting records, mention both the Fasli year and the Christian calendar year if possible to avoid ambiguity.

DISCOM zone check: Before filing your RTI, verify which DISCOM serves your area using the consumer number prefix or the DISCOM's official website — the CPIO address differs across MPMKVVCL, MPEZ, and MPWZ.

Fee payment: ₹10 under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005, payable by Indian Postal Order, demand draft, or — for MP state bodies — often by court fee stamp. BPL cardholders are exempt under Section 7(5). Always attach a copy of your BPL card if claiming exemption.

Response deadline: 30 days from receipt under Section 7(1). If the information concerns life or liberty, 48 hours under the Section 7(1) proviso. If no response within 30 days, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) within 30 days of expiry.

All bodies mentioned in this guide are state government bodies subject to Madhya Pradesh Information Commission (MPIC) jurisdiction — except where explicitly listed in the Central Government table. Verify current CPIO addresses on the official DISCOM or department websites before filing, as these change with administrative restructuring.