RTI in Rajasthan: Apna Khata Land Records, JVVNL/AVVNL/JDVVNL Electricity, and Revenue Administration

Rajasthan's size — the largest state in India by area — means its government record-keeping spans an extraordinary range of subjects. This guide drills down into three of the highest-volume domains where Rajasthan citizens most commonly need RTI: land records maintained under the Apna Khata system, electricity billing and connections through the state's three DISCOMs, and the revenue administration machinery at the patwari and tehsil level. A general RTI guide for Rajasthan already exists; this is a focused companion for these three specific areas.

All of the bodies covered here are state government authorities. Under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005, second appeals for state government bodies go to the Rajasthan State Information Commission (RSIC), not the Central Information Commission.

Part 1: Apna Khata — Rajasthan Land Records

What Apna Khata Is

Rajasthan's Revenue Department maintains all land records at the patwari and tehsil level. The Apna Khata portal (also known as E-Dharti) is the state's online interface for viewing these digitised records. The portal allows citizens to view basic Jamabandi and khasra data, but it does not provide certified copies or the full paper trail behind those records — for that, an RTI application or an application to the revenue office is necessary.

The Revenue Department is a state government body. The Tehsildar heads a tehsil-level revenue office and is the correct CPIO for most land record RTI applications. The Revenue Board of Rajasthan, headquartered in Ajmer, is the appellate revenue authority.

Key Land Record Concepts in Rajasthan

Jamabandi (also called Khatauni in some regions)

The Jamabandi is the primary record of rights in Rajasthan. It records:

• The name of the owner (Khatedar)
• The name of the cultivator (if different from the owner)
• The khasra numbers held
• The area of each khasra
• The nature of possession (owned, mortgaged, cultivated by another)
• The land classification (agricultural, banjar, abadi, etc.)

The Jamabandi is prepared in a five-year cycle. Between cycles, the interim record is updated through mutations and girdawaris. The most recent completed Jamabandi, together with interim updates, constitutes the operative record of title.

Khasra and Girdawari

A khasra is the unique survey number identifying a plot of land in a village. The Girdawari is the crop inspection record maintained seasonally by the Patwari. Rajasthan has two agricultural seasons — Kharif (sown in summer, harvested in autumn) and Rabi (sown in winter, harvested in spring). The Patwari physically visits each khasra field after crops are sown and records the crop name, the cultivator's name, and the area under cultivation. The Girdawari is therefore both a cultivation record and a proxy for possession.

If your name is absent from the Girdawari despite you being the cultivator, or if a neighbour's name appears in your plot's Girdawari, RTI is the correct tool to demand the underlying record and question the basis for the entry.

Mutation (Intkal / Dakhil Kharij)

Mutation is the process by which a change of ownership in the revenue records is formally recorded. When land is sold, inherited, gifted, or otherwise transferred, the Revenue Department must be approached to update the Jamabandi. Until the mutation is completed, the old owner's name remains in the revenue records — this has serious practical consequences for loans, government scheme eligibility, and dispute resolution.

Mutation is initiated with the Tehsildar and involves a field inspection by the Patwari, publication of a public notice, an objection period, and a final order. Each step is documented. RTI gives you access to the entire file.

Sample RTI Questions for Apna Khata / Revenue Records

Jamabandi — certified copy

"Please provide a certified copy of the current Jamabandi for Khasra number X, Khata number X, in Village X, Tehsil X, District X. Please confirm the date on which this Jamabandi was last prepared or updated and the name of the Patwari who prepared it."

Mutation history

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

Girdawari records — specific season

"Please provide a certified copy of the Kharif year / Rabi year Girdawari for Khasra number X in Village X, Tehsil X, District X. Please specify: the crop recorded, the area recorded under crop, the name of the cultivator as recorded, and the date on which the Patwari conducted the field inspection."

Mutation application status

"Please provide the current status of mutation application number X filed at Tehsil X on date. Specifically: (a) the date on which the Patwari's field inspection report was submitted; (b) whether a public notice was issued and the date of publication; (c) whether any objection was received and its current status; (d) the name and designation of the officer currently holding the file."

Encumbrance and disputes

"Please confirm whether any court stay order, mortgage, attachment, or encumbrance notation has been recorded against Khasra number X in Village X, Tehsil X, District X in the revenue records. If yes, please provide a copy of the notation and details of the court case or proceeding that led to it."

Banjar Land: Special Situations

In Rajasthan, land left fallow for extended periods may be classified as Banjar in the revenue records. There are two types: Purana Banjar (old fallow, uncultivated for many years) and Naya Banjar (recently fallow). Reclassification as banjar can affect ownership claims and government scheme eligibility. If you believe your land has been wrongly classified as banjar in the Girdawari or Jamabandi, file an RTI asking:

"Please provide the basis for the classification of Khasra number X in Village X as 'Banjar' in the revenue records. On what date was this classification made, by which Patwari, and what field inspection supported this classification?"

Abadi Land: Village Residential Plots

Rajasthan has substantial village residential land (Abadi) managed at the Gram Panchayat and tehsil level. Pattas (title documents) for abadi plots are issued by the competent authority after verification. RTI questions:

"Please provide a list of abadi pattas issued in Village X, Gram Panchayat X, Tehsil X during the period year range. For each patta, please specify the name of the allottee, the plot number, the area, and the date of issue."

Mining Lease Records

Rajasthan is one of India's most significant mining states — marble from Makrana, limestone across many districts, sandstone from Jodhpur, and dozens of other minerals. Mining leases are granted by the Mines and Geology Department (a state body → RSIC). Each lease is a public document. RTI questions:

"Please provide information on whether any mining lease has been granted for Khasra number X in Village X, Tehsil X, District X or for any part of the area described as survey coordinates / boundary description. If a lease exists, please provide: the name and address of the lessee, the lease period, the mineral covered, the conditions attached to the lease, and whether any lease rental or dead rent arrear is outstanding."

Part 2: JVVNL, AVVNL, JDVVNL — Rajasthan's Three Electricity DISCOMs

Which DISCOM Covers Your Area

Rajasthan's electricity distribution was divided into three zone-based DISCOMs, all of which are Rajasthan government companies:

• JVVNL (Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited): Jaipur, Dausa, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur, Alwar, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Sri Ganganagar, and Hanumangarh districts.
• AVVNL (Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited): Ajmer, Bhilwara, Nagaur, Jodhpur Rural (portions), Pali, Sirohi, Baran, Bundi, Kota, Jhalawar, and Rajsamand districts.
• JDVVNL (Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited): Jodhpur, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jalore, Nagaur (portions), Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Banswara, Pratapgarh, and Udaipur districts.

All three are state government companies. Second appeals for RTI filed with any of the three go to the RSIC.

The RERC (Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission) is a separate statutory body that regulates all three DISCOMs and sets tariffs. RTI to RERC also goes to RSIC.

Sample RTI Questions for Electricity DISCOMs

Billing disputes — meter reading records

"Please provide the meter reading register entries for consumer number X at Sub-Division X for the billing months from month/year to month/year (12 months). For each billing month, please specify: the date on which an on-site meter reading was taken, the reading recorded, whether the reading was estimated rather than actual, and if estimated, the basis for the estimation."

Defective or fast-running meter

"Please provide: (a) all complaint records pertaining to consumer number X for an allegedly defective or fast-running meter, including the complaint registration number and date; (b) whether a meter testing order was issued; (c) the date of meter testing and the test result; (d) whether the meter was replaced, and if so, the date of replacement and the final reading recorded on the old meter."

New service connection — domestic

"Please provide the current status of new domestic service connection application bearing reference number X at address, Sub-Division X. Specifically: (a) the date of application; (b) whether a site inspection has been conducted and the date of the inspection report; (c) whether any technical objection — including High Tension line clearance, transformer capacity upgrade, or security deposit — is pending; (d) the estimated date of connection."

New agricultural pump set connection

Agriculture connections in Rajasthan involve long waiting lists because DISCOM capacity and feeder availability constrain the number of connections that can be energised in any given area. RTI can reveal where you stand:

"Please provide the current waiting list position for new agricultural pump connection application bearing reference number X registered at Sub-Division X for the village X feeder. Additionally: (a) the total number of applications ahead of this application in the waiting list for this feeder; (b) the current sanctioned load and the utilised load on the feeder; (c) the number of connections energised from this feeder in the previous 12 months; (d) the DISCOM's projected date of energisation based on current capacity."

KUSUM / PM Surya Ghar net metering

"Please provide the current status of net metering connection approval for solar system installation at consumer number X under the KUSUM / PM Surya Ghar Yojana scheme. Specifically: (a) whether the net meter application has been processed; (b) the date of net meter inspection; (c) whether the interconnection agreement has been executed; (d) any technical or commercial objection pending."

Part 3: Patwari, Tehsildar, and Revenue Administration

The Revenue Administration Hierarchy

Rajasthan's revenue administration flows from the Board of Revenue at the top, through Divisional Commissioners, Collectors (District level), Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars, and Patwaris at the base. The Patwari is the frontline official for land records, girdawari maintenance, and local inspection reports. The Tehsildar supervises Patwaris, processes mutations, and hears low-level revenue disputes. The SDO and Collector hear appeals above the Tehsildar.

For RTI purposes, the Tehsildar's office is the CPIO for most land record queries at the field level. The District Collector's office handles queries about district-level revenue matters, land acquisition, and relief operations.

RTI for Patwari Complaints and Inspections

If you believe a Patwari has made incorrect Girdawari entries, falsified a measurement (Paidaish), or is delaying a mutation improperly, you can file a complaint with the Tehsildar. You can then use RTI to track what happened:

"Please provide: (a) the complaint filed by your name on date against Patwari name/halka number regarding incorrect Girdawari entries for Khasra number X; (b) the date on which the complaint was assigned for inquiry; (c) the name of the inquiry officer; (d) the inquiry report if completed; (e) whether any disciplinary action has been initiated."

For physical measurement (Paidaish) disputes:

"Please provide a certified copy of the Paidaish (measurement) report conducted by Patwari / Surveyor for Khasra number X in Village X on date. Please also provide the measurement sheet showing dimensions and the name of the official who conducted the measurement and the official who verified it."

Land Acquisition Compensation

Rajasthan sees significant land acquisition for highway projects, industrial corridors, and government schemes. If land has been acquired from you or from relatives and compensation is disputed, RTI can help:

"Please provide: (a) the Land Acquisition Award for Survey number / Khasra number X in Village X, Tehsil X in connection with project name; (b) the date of the award, the compensation amount determined, and the basis for valuation; (c) whether compensation has been deposited in the court / paid to the landowner; (d) the name of the Land Acquisition Collector and the date of taking possession."

JDA (Jaipur Development Authority) and RUDA (Rajasthan Urban Development Authority)

Both JDA and RUDA are Rajasthan state bodies → RSIC. RTI for:

• Plot allotment under housing schemes: status of allotment, whether a particular plot was allotted through the normal queue or through a special/discretionary quota, the allottee's eligibility documents
• Approved layout plans: "Please provide the approved layout plan for colony/scheme X at location. Whether all plots in the scheme have been allotted and whether common areas (parks, roads) are intact."
• Building permissions: "Status of building permission application reference X for construction at plot X in scheme X."

RERA Rajasthan

The Rajasthan Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA Rajasthan) is a statutory body under the RERA Act, 2016. It is a state body → RSIC. Citizens can file RTI with RERA Rajasthan for:

"Please provide: (a) the registration details for real estate project project name by developer name bearing RERA registration number X; (b) the project's approved completion date, the current reported completion percentage as filed by the developer, and the date of the last quarterly update; (c) whether any complaints have been registered against this project and their current status."

The Rajasthan State Information Commission (RSIC)

The Rajasthan State Information Commission is the second-appeal body for all Rajasthan state government authorities under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act.

The appeal structure:

1. File RTI with the CPIO of the relevant body
2. If response is unsatisfactory or absent within 30 days, file First Appeal under Section 19(1) with the First Appellate Authority (an officer senior to the CPIO within the same public authority) within 30 days
3. If First Appeal is rejected or not decided within 45 days, file Second Appeal with the RSIC under Section 19(3) within 90 days

The RSIC can impose a penalty of ₹250 per day up to ₹25,000 on a CPIO who fails to respond without reasonable cause under Section 20 of the RTI Act. The burden of proof is on the CPIO to show that the refusal was justified.

Important: For RTI applications filed with Central Government bodies that happen to operate in Rajasthan — such as NHAI (for highway projects), Army cantonments, ONGC (for oil/gas), or SAIL subsidiaries — second appeals go to the Central Information Commission (CIC), not the RSIC.

Filing Tips Specific to Rajasthan

Identify the correct CPIO: In Rajasthan's revenue system, the Tehsildar is generally the CPIO for individual khasra-level records. The Sub-Divisional Officer handles queries covering multiple villages or involving SDO-level decisions. District Collector's office handles district-level records.

Specify khasra and tehsil precisely: Rajasthan has thousands of villages and multiple tehsils per district. Ambiguous addresses delay processing. Always specify: Khasra number, Khata number (if known), Village name, Tehsil name, District name.

Use the RTI Act's fee mechanism correctly: The ₹10 application fee under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005 can be paid by postal order, demand draft, or through the online RTI portal if the body is registered there. BPL cardholders are exempt under Section 7(5) of the Act from paying any fee.

No reasons required: Under Section 6(2) of the RTI Act, you are not required to give any reason for your request. Do not justify why you are asking.

Certified copies: For land records, always ask explicitly for "certified copies" — this ensures the document carries an official seal and is admissible in legal proceedings.

RTI in Rajasthan's land records and electricity systems is frequently used and the bodies generally have functioning information officers. Well-drafted, specific applications that cite exact khasra numbers, consumer numbers, and reference numbers get far better responses than vague general queries.