Kohima: The Kohima Bar Association has demanded the Nagaland government stop village councils from collecting unauthorized land-related fees. In an October 15 letter to the Chief Secretary, the lawyers challenged the growing trend of councils issuing land pattas and demanding periodic renewals.
The Bar maintains these practices violate the Nagaland Village and Tribal Councils Act of 1978. Under Section 15(1)(g) of the Act, village councils may only consent to property transfers and keep records. They lack the legal authority to create documentation systems, grant proprietary rights, or charge fees for transfers and renewals.
Lawyers warned that the situation is spiraling out of control. "Unless the matter is examined and regulated at this stage, there exists a real possibility that such practices will gradually become institutionalized throughout the State without any legislative sanction," the Association stated. The KBA further argued that the term patta has no place in the 1978 Act, as it implies a grant of ownership which councils cannot provide.
The KBA submitted four specific demands to the state. They want a formal declaration that village council pattas and compulsory fees are illegal. They also called for an immediate halt to all such collections. To fix the issue, the Association proposed drafting uniform rules for statutory services and suggested the government provide direct budgetary support to councils to cover costs rather than allowing them to tax citizens arbitrarily.
The group emphasized that the government must act now. They warned that authorities cannot remain a silent spectator while councils exceed their legal reach. The Bar expects the state to uphold the law and ensure certainty in land administration across Nagaland.
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