Abuse encouraged by Keralam Revenue dept. cancel the circular 2017 authorizing correction of survey numbers

Widespread misuse of the 2017 circular was reported from Chinnakanal village in Udumbanchola and Wagamon village in Peerumade taluk of Idukki district in Kerala. (Photo for representation)

Citing “widespread misuse”, the tax department issued a new circular canceling the October 2017 circular that allowed corrections in title deed forms where survey numbers were wrongly entered.

Through a circular dated September 28, 2026, the ministry directed district collectors to submit to the government through the Land Tax Commissioner within a week a list of cases where land survey numbers have been changed as per the 2017 circular.

To be re-examined

All title deeds where the survey numbers have been changed will be re-examined. According to the new circular, tax division officials should be given this responsibility and the process should be completed within three months.

This follows the finding that the guidelines of the 2017 circular have been widely misused. According to the circular, if the assessment number of the land for which the title deed has been granted has been wrongly entered in the deed form, the tahsildars should correct it after carrying out detailed checks. However, it has now been found that on the basis of the title deeds issued, plots of land of the same size and outline as a certain plot but with a different survey number were acquired and sold by abusing the provisions of the circular. It was extended in Chinnakanal village in Udumbanchola and Wagamon village in Peerumade taluk of Idukki district.

Survey figures were altered in more than 600 cases by misuse of the circular, according to a communication from the Commissioner of Land Tax to the government in August 2026.

The Commissioner of Land Revenue was asked to submit a report to the Government on ways to avoid people suffering due to wrongly recorded survey figures.

Published – 06 Oct 2026 07:00 IST