Andhra Pradesh Starts Regularisation of Old ‘Sada Bainama’ Land Transactions

For lakhs of farmers across Andhra Pradesh, the wait for legal land ownership may finally be coming to an end. The state government has officially launched a large-scale drive to regularise decades-old Sada Bainama’ land agreements, giving cultivators the chance to obtain formal pattas for the land they have worked on for generations. This move aims to bring long-overdue legal security, financial stability, and dignity to farmers who have lived with uncertainty despite cultivating their lands for years.

The initiative, announced under the direction of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, marks one of the most significant rural reform steps in recent years. For many families, this could mean the end of disputes, the beginning of financial mobility, and recognition of their rightful ownership.

What Are Sada Bainama Agreements and Why Do They Matter?

For decades, Sada Bainama’s land agreements served as a practical solution for land transactions in rural areas. These were handwritten sale documents created outside the formal registration system.
Farmers relied on them because registration fees were unaffordable, procedural steps were complex, and in many villages, formal documentation was simply unavailable.

While possession of land was never in dispute, the absence of registered documents created major hurdles:

• Farmers could not get Pattadar passbooks
• Revenue and registration departments rejected their claims
• They were excluded from loans, subsidies, and crop insurance
• Property disputes lingered for years
• Families lived with constant uncertainty over ownership

The state’s decision to regularise these agreements now offers a long-awaited chance to convert informal possession into formal recognition.

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Government’s Move to Regularise Sada Bainama Lands

Under the direction of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the Andhra Pradesh government has officially begun the process of recognising Sada Bainama’s land agreements as legitimate ownership documents. The aim is clear: transform insecure, trust-based transactions into legally valid holdings.

Revenue Minister Anangani Satya Prasad highlighted that thousands of cultivators invested their lives into such lands without ever being treated as owners on paper. The new initiative, he said, is not just administrative it is a restoration of dignity for farmers whose livelihoods depended on land they could never officially claim.

Senior officials added that while the process may look like a simple regularisation exercise, for farmers it represents identity, recognition, and long-term security.

Implementation Across 3,200+ Villages

The scale of this exercise is significant. The government has mapped over 3,200 villages across all 26 districts for regularisation. District Collectors have been instructed to:

• Conduct awareness camps
• Guide farmers on eligibility
• Invite applications at the mandal level

The early response is promising. In Prakasam district alone, 1,168 farmers applied within just two weeks, indicating the scale of demand. Officials expect a much larger wave of applications as awareness spreads across rural areas.

Eligibility: Who Can Apply for Regularisation?

The scheme is designed for the most vulnerable cultivators who genuinely depend on these lands for their livelihood. The focus will be on:

• Up to 2.5 acres of dry land
• Up to 1.25 acres of irrigated land

A thorough verification process will ensure fairness and prevent misuse. This includes:

• Checking historical land records
• Conducting a physical survey
• Verifying continuous cultivation
• Linking Aadhaar details
• Confirming ownership through local witnesses
• Reviewing crop history

The government has also clarified that strict action will be taken against fraudulent claims to protect genuine beneficiaries.

Why Legal Ownership Changes Everything for Farmers

Once Sada Bainama’s land agreements are regularised, farmers will have access to a wide range of benefits that were previously out of reach:

• Crop loans and bank credit
• Crop insurance and disaster compensation
• Government subsidies and welfare schemes
• Eligibility to mortgage, sell, or legally transfer property
• Financial stability during crises
• Protection against eviction or sudden land disputes

For many families, this is the first time they will experience the security of having their name officially recorded as landowners.

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Resolving Disputes and Ending Uncertainty

For decades, families relying on Sada Bainama’s land agreements lived with constant fear of eviction or sudden disputes. With formal recognition, these challenges can be resolved permanently. The regularisation drive is expected to reduce land conflicts, provide clarity in inheritance matters, and bring long-standing disputes to an end.

This step also strengthens rural governance by integrating informal land transactions into the official legal system.

Conclusion

The Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to regularise Sada Bainama’s land agreements is a transformative reform that will benefit thousands of farmers across the state. By granting legal ownership, the state is not only strengthening rural livelihoods but also empowering families with financial security and stability.

For those who have cultivated land for decades without formal rights, this initiative is a historic opportunity, one that promises dignity, certainty, and a better future.