RTI for Meghalaya Land Records — Mutation, Settlement and Registry

Landowners and residents across Meghalaya — whether dealing with a disputed Cadastral Survey record, a stalled mutation application, an unclear Settlement Record entry, or questions about whether tribal land protections apply to their parcel — have a powerful statutory tool at their disposal: the Right to Information Act, 2005. For ₹10 and a single application to the Public Information Officer of the relevant Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section or Circle Officer's office, any person can obtain certified copies of Settlement Records, Mutation Register entries, Cadastral Maps, and Records of Rights maintained by the Revenue & Disaster Management Department. In a state where land tenure is shaped by a unique mix of constitutional tribal protections, three Autonomous District Councils operating under the Sixth Schedule, the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971, and ongoing cadastral survey work, RTI is an essential instrument for making the Revenue Department accountable and accessible.

Meghalaya's Unique Land Tenure System

Meghalaya's approach to land administration and ownership is unlike almost any other state in India. Understanding its distinctive features is essential before you draft your RTI application — it will help you identify the right authority to approach and frame your requests with precision.

Tribal Land Protections: The Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971

The foundational law governing land ownership in Meghalaya is the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971. This legislation, enacted to protect the interests of the indigenous tribal communities of the state, prohibits the transfer of land to non-tribals except with the prior permission of the state government. The Act defines "tribal" by reference to the Scheduled Tribes lists applicable to Meghalaya — primarily the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo communities, along with other recognised Scheduled Tribes. Non-tribals who acquire land without the requisite permission do so in violation of the Act and risk having such acquisitions declared void.

This restriction has direct relevance to RTI applicants: land records in Meghalaya will often reflect the tribal or non-tribal status of the recorded owner, and the basis of any transfer will have been scrutinised at the time of mutation to ensure compliance with the 1971 Act. If you are seeking to understand whether a past transfer was lawful, or whether the current ownership entry in the Mutation Register reflects an approved transaction, RTI can help you obtain the documentary record of that scrutiny.

The Three Autonomous District Councils and the Sixth Schedule

Meghalaya is the only state in India where all three major regions — Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills (now Ri-Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills), and Garo Hills — are administered under Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) constituted under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. The three ADCs are:

1. Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) — covering the Khasi Hills region including Shillong, East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills
2. Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) — covering Jaintia Hills and the East Jaintia Hills area
3. Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) — covering East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, and Eastern West Garo Hills

Each ADC has the constitutional power under the Sixth Schedule to make laws on land management, use of forests, regulation of shifting cultivation, and related subjects within its area. ADC land laws coexist with state revenue law. For RTI applicants, this means that for certain categories of land — particularly land governed by customary tenure, community land, and land subject to ADC-specific legislation — the relevant records may be held at the ADC level rather than (or in addition to) the state Revenue Department. An RTI to the Deputy Commissioner's office may not yield records that are held exclusively by the ADC.

Revenue & Disaster Management Department: The Nodal State Agency

For state-level land records, the Revenue & Disaster Management Department (RDMD) of the Government of Meghalaya is the nodal agency. RDMD operates through a field hierarchy: at the district level through the Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section; at the sub-divisional level through the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil); and at the circle and village level through Circle Officers. Meghalaya has twelve revenue districts: East Khasi Hills (Shillong), West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, and Eastern West Garo Hills. Each district has a Deputy Commissioner who is the principal revenue authority for that district.

Meghalaya's Land Records System

Cadastral Survey Records and Dag Numbers

The primary unit of land identification in Meghalaya is the Dag Number — the plot-level survey number assigned during Cadastral Survey operations. Each Dag entry records: the Dag number, the village name, the Revenue Circle, the area of the plot in hectares, the land classification, and the name of the recorded owner or occupant. The Cadastral Survey in Meghalaya has been conducted in phases and is still ongoing in some areas — particularly in parts of Garo Hills where survey and settlement operations have historically faced logistical challenges.

Land classifications used in Meghalaya Settlement Records include:

• Wet Rice Land (WRL): Lowland paddy cultivation
• Dry Cultivation Land (DCL): Upland cultivation, often including Jhum (shifting cultivation) land
• Homestead / Garden Land: Residential plots with kitchen garden
• Jungle / Waste Land: Uncultivated or forest-type land

Understanding which classification applies to your parcel matters because it affects permissible use, taxation, and conversion requirements under revenue law.

Settlement Records: The Meghalaya Land Record (Preparation and Maintenance) Rules, 1972

The Meghalaya Land Record (Preparation and Maintenance) Rules, 1972 govern the preparation, maintenance, and update of land records in the state. Under these Rules, the Settlement Records form the foundational document set:

• Field Measurement Book (FMB): Survey field maps showing plot boundaries and areas
• Cadastral Map / Settlement Map: The graphical record of all plots in a village, showing plot boundaries, Dag numbers, and the layout of roads, water bodies, and common lands
• Settlement Register / Record of Rights (RoR): The tabular register recording the Dag number, area, land classification, and the name of the recorded owner/occupant for each plot in a village
• Mutation Register: The register recording all post-settlement changes in ownership — transfers by sale, inheritance, gift, court decree, or government order

These records are maintained primarily at the Circle Officer's office and the Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section. Certified copies of any of these records can be sought through RTI.

Differences Between Khasi/Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills

Applicants should be aware that the land records systems in the two major cultural regions of Meghalaya differ in important respects:

Khasi and Jaintia Hills: Land tenure in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills has historically been shaped by matrilineal customary law (Khasi customary law governs inheritance through the female line — the youngest daughter, or Khadduh, typically inherits the ancestral home). Cadastral Survey operations in these hills have been more systematic, and Settlement Records are generally more complete. Community land (often held by the Hima or Dorbar Shnong — the traditional Khasi institution of the village or locality) is an important category.

Garo Hills: The Garo Hills have a different land tenure tradition shaped by Garo customary law and the historical role of the Nokma (the head of the Mahari — the matrilineal clan). Much Garo land was traditionally held by the Mahari as community property under the Nokma's stewardship. Cadastral Survey and formal settlement operations have proceeded more slowly in parts of Garo Hills, and some areas may have less complete formal records. Village-level land settlement records and the registers maintained under GHADC laws may be equally important as state RDMD records for RTI purposes.

The Mutation Register

The Mutation Register is the working record of ownership changes after the initial Settlement Record is prepared. When a plot is transferred by sale, inherited following a death, transferred under a court decree, or otherwise changes recorded ownership, a mutation application is filed with the Circle Officer. The Circle Officer verifies the basis of transfer, checks for compliance with the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971 (particularly for transfers involving non-tribals), and records the mutation in the Mutation Register. The entry shows: the Dag number, the name of the previous owner, the name of the new owner, the date of transfer, the legal basis of transfer, the mutation case number, and the name of the authorising officer.

Mutation Register entries are among the most frequently sought documents through RTI in land disputes — they show the chain of ownership and can reveal whether a transfer was properly documented and authorised.

What RTI Can Obtain

A well-drafted RTI application to the Revenue & Disaster Management Department in Meghalaya can produce the following documents and information:

1. Certified copies of Settlement Records / RoR entries: The current entry for your Dag number — recorded owner, area, land classification, and any noted encumbrances
2. Certified copies of Cadastral Maps: The graphical record showing plot boundaries, Dag numbers, and the spatial relationship between adjacent plots — essential in boundary disputes
3. Mutation Register entries: The current and historical ownership entries for a specific Dag, including every recorded transfer, its legal basis, and the approving officer
4. Status of pending mutation applications: Whether a specific mutation case is pending, what stage it has reached, what verification has been completed, and the reason for any delay
5. Government orders and acquisition notifications: Any government notification, land acquisition notice, forest reservation order, or encumbrance entry affecting a specific parcel
6. Jamabandi / Record of Rights: The consolidated ownership and occupancy record maintained at circle or sub-divisional level
7. Survey and demarcation records: Field Measurement Book entries, survey field notes, and boundary demarcation reports for a specific plot
8. ADC jurisdiction clarification: Confirmation of whether a specific parcel falls under ADC laws and which ADC land laws apply

Where to File Your RTI

Circle Officer's Office (Revenue Circle Level)

The Circle Officer is the frontline revenue official responsible for maintaining village-level land records within a Revenue Circle. Circle Officers process mutation applications, maintain village-level Settlement Records and Mutation Registers, and conduct field verification. For queries about a specific plot — mutation status, current Settlement Record entry, Cadastral Map details — the Circle Officer's office is often the most direct and appropriate first point of contact.

Deputy Commissioner's Office, Revenue Section (District Level)

The Deputy Commissioner is the principal revenue authority at the district level and supervises all Circle Officers within the district. The Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section maintains district-level records, handles appeals from Circle Officer decisions, and is the appropriate PIO for: district-level land records, records relating to government land, acquisition details, and matters involving multiple Revenue Circles. For most RTI applicants, the Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section is the primary authority to approach — it has broader oversight and the authority to direct subordinate offices.

Meghalaya has twelve revenue districts. File with the Deputy Commissioner of the district where the land is located.

Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department (State Level)

For state-level policy queries, matters involving multiple districts, or where district-level offices are unresponsive, the PIO at the office of the Commissioner & Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Government of Meghalaya, Shillong, is the appropriate authority.

Autonomous District Council Offices

If your land falls within an area governed by ADC land laws, you may also need to file with the relevant ADC:

• Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC): Shillong
• Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC): Jowai
• Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC): Tura

Each ADC is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act and is required to have designated PIOs. Note that ADC records relate specifically to land governed by ADC laws — the state RDMD records and ADC records are maintained separately and you may need both for a complete picture.

Step-by-Step RTI Filing Guide

Step 1 — Identify the Correct PIO

Determine which authority holds the records you need:

• For a specific plot's Settlement Record or Mutation Register entry: start with the Circle Officer's office for the Revenue Circle in which the land falls, or the Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section for the district
• For government land classification or acquisition details: Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section
• For state-level records or policy matters: Commissioner & Secretary, RDMD
• For ADC-governed land: the relevant ADC's PIO in addition to or instead of state RDMD

Step 2 — Draft Your Application

Use the sample draft provided in this guide as a template. Always include:

• Full name and address of the applicant
• The Dag Number, Village name, Revenue Circle, and District of the land parcel
• A numbered list of specific information requests — certified copies of Settlement Records, Mutation Register entries, Cadastral Maps, RoR entries, government orders, etc.
• Any known reference numbers: mutation case numbers, survey notification numbers, acquisition notification numbers

Avoid vague or omnibus requests. The more specific your request, the more complete and useful the response will be.

Step 3 — Pay the Fee

The application fee is ₹10 under the Right to Information (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005.

• Online filing via rtionline.gov.in: pay by debit card, credit card, or net banking
• Postal filing: attach an Indian Postal Order (IPO) of ₹10 payable to the Accounts Officer of the relevant public authority. Do not send cash by post.
• BPL exemption: Citizens below the poverty line are exempt from the application fee under Section 7(5) of the RTI Act. Attach a self-attested copy of your BPL ration card with the application.

Note that Meghalaya does not operate its own state RTI portal — all online RTI filings for Meghalaya state government bodies are made through rtionline.gov.in (the Central Government's RTI portal, which also handles state government RTI filings for states that have not set up separate portals).

Step 4 — Submit and Record

Online: Submit on rtionline.gov.in, note the registration number, and save the confirmation. The 30-day response period under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act begins from the date the PIO receives the application.

By post: Send by Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due to the PIO's office. Retain the postal receipt and the acknowledgement card when it is returned — these are your proof of filing and the starting point for calculating the 30-day response deadline.

Step 5 — Follow Up with Appeals

First Appeal — Section 19(1)

If the PIO does not respond within 30 days, or the response is incomplete, incorrect, or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — typically the Additional Deputy Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner (if the PIO was a Circle Officer), or the Commissioner & Secretary, RDMD (if the PIO was the Deputy Commissioner). The First Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. No fee is payable. Attach a copy of your original RTI application and the PIO's response (or a note that no response was received). The FAA must decide the appeal within 30 days (extendable to 45 days with written reasons).

Second Appeal — Section 19(3)

If the FAA also fails to act satisfactorily, file a Second Appeal with the Meghalaya Information Commission (MIC) under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the expiry of the FAA's deadline. No fee is payable. The MIC has the authority to order disclosure, impose a penalty of ₹250 per day up to ₹25,000 on the defaulting PIO under Section 20 of the RTI Act, and recommend departmental proceedings.

RTI Act Sections Quick Reference

Practical Tips for Meghalaya Land Records RTI

Always cite Dag Number, Village, Revenue Circle, and District. Meghalaya land records are indexed by Dag number within a specific village and Revenue Circle. Without all four identifiers, the PIO may return an incomplete response or claim inability to locate the records. If you do not know your Dag number, you may request the PIO to identify all Dag numbers recorded in the name of a specified person in a specified village — this is itself a valid RTI request.

Specify that you want certified copies, not just information. Certified copies of Settlement Records, Mutation Register entries, and Cadastral Maps carry official evidentiary weight and can be used in revenue courts, the Meghalaya High Court, and in dealings with financial institutions. Always use the phrase "certified copy" in your RTI application.

Ask about ADC jurisdiction explicitly. If your land is in any of the three ADC areas — which covers essentially the entire state — include a specific question asking whether the land is governed by ADC laws, which ADC law applies, and whether records relating to the land are held at the ADC level. This will help you determine whether a separate RTI to the ADC is also required.

Land in Garo Hills: consider filing with GHADC as well. In the Garo Hills region, where customary land tenure and GHADC land laws are particularly important, filing RTI with both the Deputy Commissioner's Revenue Section and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council office may be necessary to obtain a complete picture of the land's recorded status. The two sets of records may be complementary or, in some cases, may tell different stories about ownership.

Note on digitisation. Meghalaya's land records digitisation is less advanced than in some other states. Records from older settlement surveys may only be available in physical registers at the Circle Officer's or Deputy Commissioner's office. If a PIO responds that digitised records are not available but physical records exist, ask for certified copies of the physical register entries — this is equally valid under the RTI Act.

Use RTI before any land transaction. Before purchasing land in Meghalaya — particularly if you are a non-tribal or dealing with land in ADC areas — use RTI to verify that the Settlement Record and Mutation Register entries are consistent with the seller's claimed title, that no encumbrance or acquisition notice is pending, and that the transfer will not violate the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971. The cost of an RTI application is negligible compared to the risk of a disputed or legally infirm title.

Pending mutations: document the delay formally. If your mutation application has been pending for more than 90 days, file an RTI to create an official record of the delay. The RTI response will document when the application was received, what stage it is at, and who is responsible — this can be used to approach the Deputy Commissioner directly, or to support a writ petition before the Meghalaya High Court if the delay is egregious.

Second Appeal goes to MIC, not CIC. The Revenue & Disaster Management Department and all Deputy Commissioner and Circle Officer offices in Meghalaya are state government bodies. Their Second Appeals must go to the Meghalaya Information Commission (MIC), constituted under Section 15 of the RTI Act — not to the Central Information Commission (CIC), which has jurisdiction only over Central Government public authorities. Filing with the CIC would be incorrect and your appeal would be returned without adjudication.