RTI in Uttar Pradesh: Bhulekh Land Records, UPPCL Electricity, and Revenue Administration

Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state, with over 200 million people. It is also, by volume, one of the busiest RTI-filing states in the country. The reasons are structural: UP has an enormous agricultural economy where land records disputes affect millions of families, a complex multi-layer revenue administration reaching down to the village Lekhpal, and five electricity distribution companies serving a state where billing errors and transformer failures are everyday grievances.

This guide is a focused second layer on top of the general UP RTI guide, which covers the basics of the two-track system, the UP State Information Commission (UPSIC), portal use, and fee payment. Here, we go deep into three specific, high-volume systems where UP citizens file the most RTI applications: the Bhulekh land records system, UPPCL and its distribution companies, and the Lekhpal-based revenue administration. Each section includes exact RTI question templates you can adapt.

All three domains are Uttar Pradesh State Government bodies. Second appeals for all of them go to the UP State Information Commission (UPSIC) under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Bhulekh — Uttar Pradesh Land Records

The word "Bhulekh" literally means "land record" in Hindi. In UP, it is also the name of the state Revenue Department's digital platform that provides online access to land records for all 75 districts. Understanding what Bhulekh contains — and more importantly, what it does not resolve — is essential before filing an RTI in this domain.

What Bhulekh Holds

Khatauni (Record of Rights): The Khatauni is the primary land ownership record in UP. It is maintained for each "gata" (survey plot number) and shows the name(s) of the recorded owner(s), the category of rights (Bhumidhari, Asami, or other), the area of the plot, and any notations for disputes, court orders, or government acquisitions. The Khatauni is updated after every mutation (name change) and at the start of each Fasli (agricultural year).

Khasra (Plot Register): The Khasra is a field-by-field inventory showing cultivation details, crop type, and area for each gata. Used primarily for agricultural and crop insurance purposes.

Bhu-Naksha (Cadastral Map): The digital cadastral map showing the shape, dimensions, and relative position of each gata. Useful for boundary demarcation disputes.

Although these records are in principle accessible online through the Bhulekh portal, there are many situations where RTI is the appropriate and sometimes only tool:

• When you need a certified copy of a Khatauni with an official stamp, rather than a printout from the website
• When you want to challenge or verify a mutation (namantaran) that has been recorded
• When records show a dispute or court stay notation and you want the underlying documents
• When you suspect that records have been tampered with or a fake mutation has been entered

How the Revenue Administration Is Structured

In UP, land records are managed at the lowest level by the Lekhpal — the village-level revenue official. Above the Lekhpal is the Revenue Inspector (RI), then the Nayab Tehsildar, the Tehsildar, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and finally the District Collector/District Magistrate (DM).

When filing an RTI on land records, the appropriate PIO is usually at the Tehsil level — because the Lekhpal operates within a Tehsil and does not have independent PIO designation. Address your RTI to the PIO of the Tehsil Office for matters about Khatauni, mutations, or Lekhpal inspection reports.

RTI Questions for Bhulekh Land Records

Certified Khatauni copy:

"Certified copy of the Khatauni (Record of Rights) for Gata number X in Village X, Tehsil X, District X for the current Fasli year year. The names of all recorded co-sharers, the total area of the gata, the category of right (Bhumidhari/Asami/other), and any notations for disputes or court orders."

Complete mutation history:

"The complete history of mutations (Namantaran/Darj-e-Malgujari) recorded for Gata number X in Village X, Tehsil X from Fasli year X to the current year. For each mutation: the mutation order number, date of order, names of transferor and transferee, the stated basis for mutation (sale, inheritance, gift, court order), and the name of the Tehsildar or officer who approved the mutation."

Checking for court stay or dispute notation:

"Whether any court stay, injunction, dispute, or special notation is currently recorded in the Khatauni for Gata number X in Village X, Tehsil X. A copy of the order or document on the basis of which any such notation was made."

Status of a pending mutation:

"Current status of mutation application number X filed on date at Tehsil X for Gata number X in Village X. The date on which the application was received, the name and designation of the officer to whom it is currently assigned, and the specific reasons why the mutation has not been decided within the prescribed time period."

Land Tenure Categories in UP: Bhumidhari and Asami

UP has distinct categories of land tenure rooted in the UP Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950:

• Bhumidhari (with and without transferable rights): The most secure form of occupancy. Bhumidhari rights are inheritable and, in the transferable category, can be sold.
• Sirdari: A category that has largely been abolished and converted to Bhumidhari, but older records may still show Sirdari notation.
• Asami: Temporary occupancy, often held from a Gram Sabha. Asami land cannot be permanently transferred.

RTI for tenure classification:

"The current classification of Gata number X in Village X, Tehsil X in the Khatauni — whether it is recorded as Bhumidhari (transferable or non-transferable), Asami, or any other tenure category. The Fasli year from which this classification has been recorded."

Abaadi Land — Village Residential Plots

Abaadi land is the residential zone within a village, distinct from agricultural land. Abaadi plots are administered by the Gram Panchayat under the UP Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayats Act. RTI for Abaadi plots goes to the Gram Panchayat Secretary or the Block Development Officer (BDO):

"Whether a Patta (occupancy document) has been issued for the Abaadi plot at description/location in Village X, Tehsil X. The name of the person in whose favour the Patta was issued, the date of issue, and the plot area. Whether the plot is free from encumbrance or government claim."

Land Acquisition Compensation

When the state government acquires private land — for roads, railways, industrial corridors, or other projects — compensation is to be awarded under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARRA). Disputes about inadequate compensation are widespread. RTI to the Land Acquisition Collector / Special Land Acquisition Officer for:

"Copy of the Award passed under the RFCTLARRA, 2013 for the acquisition of land in Village X, Tehsil X for the project name of project. The names of all land owners awarded compensation, the amount of compensation awarded per unit area, and whether solatium and interest have been added as required under Section 30 of the Act."

UPPCL and the Five Distribution Companies

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) is the state-owned holding company for electricity in UP. Distribution is handled by five separate discoms:

• DVVNL (Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd) — covers Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, and Bundelkhand
• MVVNL (Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd) — covers Lucknow, Hardoi, Sitapur, and central UP
• PUVVNL (Poorvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd) — covers Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, and eastern UP
• PaschimVVNL (Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd) — covers Meerut, Moradabad, Saharanpur, and western UP
• KESCO (Kanpur Electricity Supply Company) — covers Kanpur city only

All five are UP State Government entities. Second appeals go to the UPSIC. When filing an RTI, address the relevant discom (not UPPCL headquarters), and within the discom, identify the correct Sub-Division Office — the level at which consumer records are maintained.

RTI for Billing Disputes

Inflated electricity bills — whether because of estimated readings, meter tampering allegations, or incorrect load classification — are the single most common RTI subject for UP consumers.

"The meter reading records for consumer number X maintained at Sub-Division name, discom name for the past 12 billing months. For each month: the date on which the reading was taken, the actual meter reading recorded, and whether the reading was taken on-site or estimated. The dates and names of meter readers who visited the premises during this period."

"Whether the meter installed at consumer number X has been tested for accuracy in the past X years. If a meter test has been conducted, the date, the test result, and the name of the officer who conducted the test. If no test has been conducted in the past three years, the reasons."

RTI for New Electricity Connections

"Status of new service connection application bearing reference number X filed at Sub-Division name on date. Whether a feasibility survey has been conducted at the applicant's premises, and if so, the date and outcome. Whether any outstanding arrears, security deposit, or infrastructure cost demand is pending from the applicant. The current officer responsible for processing the application and the estimated date of connection."

RTI for Load Shedding Schedules

"The scheduled load shedding (power cut) timetable for feeder name / locality name in district for the month of month, year as per the roster approved by discom name. For unscheduled outages on specific dates, the reasons notified — whether a fault on the feeder, transformer failure, or other cause — and the total hours of unscheduled power failure on each date."

RTI for Smart Meter Disputes

"Whether the installation of a smart meter for consumer number X is mandatory or voluntary under the current guidelines of UPPCL / discom name. The date by which a smart meter was installed or is scheduled to be installed at the premises. Whether the consumer has any right to opt out of smart meter installation under current UPERC (UP Electricity Regulatory Commission) regulations."

RTI for Transformer Replacement

Transformer failures — causing prolonged outages for entire neighbourhoods or villages — are a significant issue in rural and semi-urban UP.

"The capacity, age, and installation date of the distribution transformer serving colony/village name on feeder X in Sub-Division name. The date of the last maintenance or inspection of this transformer. Whether any written request or complaint for transformer replacement or upgrade has been submitted by local residents or the Gram Pradhan, and the current status of that request."

Lekhpal, Revenue Inspector, and Revenue Administration

The Lekhpal (also called Patwari in some states) is the frontline revenue official in UP. One Lekhpal is assigned to multiple villages within a circle. Lekhpals maintain land records, report on crops, prepare lists of agricultural households, and are required to conduct periodic field inspections (Khana Talaash).

Because the Lekhpal does not have a PIO designation of their own, RTI applications for Lekhpal-related matters should be addressed to the Nayab Tehsildar or Tehsildar of the relevant Tehsil.

RTI for Lekhpal Inspection Reports

"The Khana Talaash (field inspection) report prepared by the Lekhpal for Circle name for Village X for the Rabi/Kharif season of Fasli year X. The total number of gatas inspected, the cultivation status recorded, and whether all gatas in the village were inspected or any were left out."

RTI for Complaints Against Lekhpal

If you have filed a complaint against a Lekhpal for non-performance or corruption, RTI can track what happened to it:

"The complaint filed against Lekhpal name, posted in Circle name, Tehsil X bearing complaint number X dated date. The action taken on the complaint — whether an inquiry was conducted, the name and designation of the inquiry officer, the findings of the inquiry, and the action (if any) taken against the Lekhpal."

RTI for Kisan Credit Cards and Agricultural Lists

"The list of farmers in Village X, Tehsil X for whom the Lekhpal or Block Agriculture Officer has submitted documentation for Kisan Credit Card (KCC) issuance during the period dates. The number of applications forwarded and the number approved or rejected, with reasons for rejection."

RTI for Land Demarcation (Paimaisho)

When boundary disputes arise between adjacent landholders, a Lekhpal can conduct a field demarcation. RTI for the demarcation report:

"The demarcation report (Paimaisho report) conducted by Lekhpal name/circle for Gata numbers X and Y in Village X, Tehsil X on or around date. The boundary measurements recorded, the names of witnesses present, and the signature of the Lekhpal confirming the measurements."

Practical Guidance: Filing RTI in UP

UP has a large and generally functional RTI machinery, but response quality varies considerably by department. A few practical points:

Language: RTI applications in UP can be filed in Hindi or English. Filing in Hindi often results in more responsive replies from district-level offices, which may have limited English-language capacity.

Portal: The UP government operates an online RTI portal for state bodies. Verify the current portal URL at the official UP government website (up.gov.in) before filing. Physical applications (by post or in person) are also valid under the RTI Act.

Fee: ₹10 under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. BPL cardholders are exempt under Section 7(5). For UP state bodies, verify the accepted payment modes — demand draft, IPO, or cash — on the portal or by calling the relevant PIO's office.

Response window: 30 days from receipt under Section 7(1). If the matter is transferred from one PIO to another (inter-authority transfer), the new PIO gets the remaining time but the total cannot exceed 35 days from the initial receipt.

First Appeal: Under Section 19(1), file with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) within the same department within 30 days of receiving (or not receiving) the PIO's response.

Second Appeal: Under Section 19(3), file with the UP State Information Commission (UPSIC) within 90 days of the First Appeal's decision (or its deemed refusal after 30 days of no response from the FAA). The UPSIC is headquartered in Lucknow.