Published Apr 09, 2026 | 12:37 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 09, 2026 | 12:37 PM
Chandrababu Naidu. Credit: x.com/ncbn
Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that house site pattas issued before 2016 under government housing schemes can now be registered, granting full ownership rights to nearly 75 lakh families. The reform includes removing 22-A restrictions, digitising land records with blockchain safeguards, and distributing Pattadar Passbooks, aiming to unlock property value, reduce disputes, and boost financial inclusion.
In a crucial move to unlock property rights for lakhs of poor families, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that house site pattas issued under government housing schemes prior to 2016 will be eligible for registration.
It effectively allowed beneficiaries to sell, transfer, or gift their properties. The decision is expected to convert long-held but legally restricted allotments into fully tradable assets, benefiting nearly 75 lakh families across Andhra Pradesh.
The decision emerged from a comprehensive review of the Revenue Department, where the CM outlined a series of measures to overhaul land administration, resolve disputes, and expand ownership rights.
At a review meeting at Amaravati on 8 April, the chief minister said, “All house site patas issued prior to 2016, will now be eligible for registration.”
For years, beneficiaries of government housing schemes held pattas that granted possession but came with curbs on sale or transfer. These properties were not “freehold”— meaning they did not confer complete ownership rights.
By enabling registration, the government is effectively moving such holdings toward freehold status, where owners enjoy full legal rights to sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer property without special restrictions.
This transition allows beneficiaries not only to monetise their assets but also to use them as collateral for loans, potentially improving access to credit and financial mobility.
A key element of the reform package involves removing large tracts of land from the prohibited category under Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908. This provision empowers the government to block registration of certain categories of land, such as assigned lands, Inam lands, endowment properties, or disputed parcels.
In practical terms, any land listed under 22-A cannot be legally sold or registered, even if transactions occur informally. This has historically kept vast extents of land outside the formal market, depressing their value and leaving owners in legal uncertainty.
Recognising this, the government has decided to remove 1.37 lakh acres of “village service Inam lands” from the 22-A list. To enable this, the Chief Minister has directed officials to bring in a new law. Once removed from 22-A, these lands become eligible for registration, marking a crucial step toward full ownership rights and marketability.
Alongside legal reforms, the government has set an ambitious target to complete Re-survey 2.0 and distribute 1.12 crore Pattadar Passbooks by March 2027. The exercise is intended to correct inaccuracies and disputes that arose during earlier survey efforts.
So far, surveys have been completed in 6,976 villages, with 22.79 lakh passbooks already under distribution in 5,717 villages. Another 9 lakh passbooks are to be issued in 1,259 villages by July this year.
The government aims to complete 100% distribution by March next year, with around 80 lakh passbooks to be delivered between July and March. Officials recall how faulty land records have long been a source of litigation and conflict. By setting monthly targets and enforcing accountability, the administration hopes to build a reliable and dispute-free land database.
The reform push extends further. Out of 13.59 lakh acres identified as freehold land in the state, about 9.25 lakh acres held by eligible beneficiaries will soon be granted complete ownership rights. This is in line with the broader goal of converting restricted or semi-legal holdings into fully recognised property.
Taken together—with patta regularisation and removal of 22-A restrictions—these steps could significantly expand the pool of legally tradable land in Andhra Pradesh.
An important aspect of the initiative is the digitisation of land records.
Naidu said, “All records should be converted into digital format and shared directly with landowners via mobile phones. This will be followed by Aadhaar-based KYC verification.”
The government plans to secure these records using blockchain technology. Landowners will be able to “lock” their records, ensuring that no transaction can occur without their consent. This is expected to act as a safeguard against fraudulent registrations—a persistent issue in the state.
The reforms are seen having both economic and political significance. By granting sale rights to pre-2016 housing beneficiaries and freeing Inam lands from 22-A restrictions, the government is directly impacting a large population base.
The move is expected to pay rich political dividedns as it may further consolidate the TDP-led NDA’s political hold on the state. At the same time, the measures aim to unlock dormant land value, stimulate rural real estate markets, and enhance financial inclusion.
