How Applications for Alteration of Land with Water Bodies Are Evaluated: Legal and Procedural Guide
Government of West Bengal
Department of Land & Land Reforms & Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation
LRA-III, GE(M) Branch
Nabanna, 325, Sarat Chatterjee Road, Howrah โ 711102
No. 3473(48) / 1F-04/2025โGE(M)
Date: 18.09.2025
From:
The Assistant Secretary to the Government of West Bengal
To:
- The Director of Land Records & Surveys, West Bengal
- The District Magistrate (All)
- The District Land & Land Reforms Officer (All)
- The Deputy Secretary, Water Resources Investigation & Development Department, West Bengal
- The Deputy Secretary, Fisheries, Aquaculture, Aquatic Resources & Fishing Harbour Department, West Bengal
- The Deputy Secretary, Panchayat & Rural Development Department, West Bengal
Subject: Circulation of Notification No. 3412/1F-04/2025โGE(M) dated 12.09.2025
The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of Notification No. 3412/1F-04/2025โGE(M) dated 12.09.2025, as published in the Extraordinary issue of the Kolkata Gazette dated 12.09.2025, for information and necessary action.
The Director of Land Records & Surveys, West Bengal is requested to upload the notification on the Departmental website.
Enclosure: As stated above.
Assistant Secretary
Government of West Bengal
Kolkata Gazette โ Extraordinary
WB/SC-247 | WB (Part-I)/2025/380
เคธเคคเฅเคฏเคฎเฅเคต เคเคฏเคคเฅ
Published by Authority
Notification No. 3412/1F-04/2025โGE(M)
Date: 12.09.2025
Government of West Bengal
Land & Land Reforms and Refugee Relief & Rehabilitation Department
GE(M)/LRA-III Branch, Nabanna (6th Floor)
325, Sarat Chatterjee Road, P.O. Shibpur, Howrah โ 711102
NOTIFICATION
Whereas the proposed draft amendment to the West Bengal Land and Land Reforms Manual, 1991 (hereinafter the said Manual) was published pursuant to Section 60(1) of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955 (West Ben. Act X of 1956) (hereinafter the said Act) vide Notification No. 3023/1F-04/2025-GE(M) dated 13.08.2025 in the Kolkata Gazette (Extraordinary) inviting objections or suggestions within fifteen days;
And whereas no objection or suggestion has been received by the State Government within the stipulated period;
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 60 of the said Act, the Governor is pleased to make the following amendments to the said Manual with immediate effect:
Amendments to the West Bengal Land & Land Reforms Manual, 1991
1. Amendment of Rule 266A
After the existing paragraph, insert the following:
โFor the purpose of improving pisciculture in the State through modern fishery practices, Government water areas shall be settled through tender or auction. Fishermenโs Cooperative Societies, Fish Production Groups, Self-Help Groups, individuals, entrepreneurs and Government Undertakings of the Fisheries Department may participate.
The State Government may issue guidelines, through general or special orders, from time to time, in this regard.โ
2. Amendment of Rule 272
(a) In sub-rule (1), after โdeal with settlement of fisheries,โ insert:
โThe composition of the Committee may be revised by the State Government, from time to time, through general or special order.โ
(b) In sub-rule (4):
(i) After โSelf-Help Groups as identified for the district,โ insert:
โand individuals, entrepreneurs and Government Undertakings of Fisheries Departmentโ
(ii) Add the following paragraph:
โHowever, Fishermenโs Cooperative Societies, Fish Production Groups and Self-Help Groups shall be given price preference in the bidding process and discount on the Earnest Money Deposit, as may be decided and notified by the State Government from time to time.โ
(c) In sub-rule (9), after โSelf-Help Group members,โ insert:
โor individuals or entrepreneurs or Government Undertakings of Fisheries Department, as the case may be,โ
3. Omission of Rule 274
Rule 274 of the said Manual is hereby omitted.
4. Amendment of Rule 278
(a) Substitute the existing text with:
โThe District Magistrate & Collector shall be empowered to confirm settlement of a fishery or water body at a rent not exceeding Rs. 1,00,000.โ
(b) After โthe State Government for approval,โ insert:
โThese financial limits and other conditions may be revised by the State Government, from time to time, through general or special order.โ
By Order of the Governor
VIVEK KUMAR, IAS
Land Reforms Commissioner &
Additional Chief Secretary
Government of West Bengal
Published by the Land & Land Reforms and R.R. & R Department (LRA-III, GE(M) Branch), West Bengal
Printed at Saraswaty Press Ltd. (A Government of West Bengal Enterprise)
Settlement of Government Lands and Vested Lands Under Litigation (Govt of West Bengal Notification)
