Maharashtra Launches 7-Month Revenue Lok Adalat Campaign

The Maharashtra Revenue Department has launched a seven-month statewide campaign to settle pending revenue disputes through Lok Adalats. The campaign, named the ‘Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Revenue Lok Adalat Campaign’, will run from September 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

The decision to launch the campaign was taken by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule following directions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The campaign will cover pending revenue cases and appeals before quasi-judicial authorities ranging from Circle Officers and tehsildars to Sub-Divisional Officers, Deputy Collectors, Additional Collectors and District Collectors.

Under the campaign, District Collectors will be required to organise Revenue Lok Adalats at all levels once every three months. Cases will primarily be settled through mutual consent between the parties. The settlement procedure involves both parties or their advocates jointly submitting an application seeking a compromise. Authorities will scrutinise the applications and prepare a legally valid settlement agreement based on the consent of both sides.

On the scheduled Lok Adalat day, a final order will then be issued with the consent of the parties, bringing the dispute to a permanent close. The Revenue Department has directed district and divisional authorities to publicise details of the campaign through official websites and notice boards at tehsil, sub-divisional and Collectorate offices.

The campaign aims to provide relief to lakhs of litigants and farmers caught up in prolonged quasi-judicial proceedings. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the initiative was aimed at ensuring timely justice to ordinary citizens and farmers while reducing legal expenses, prolonged litigation and mental stress.

The campaign coincides with the bicentenary birth anniversary year of social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. According to Bawankule, ensuring justice for ordinary citizens and farmers was at the core of Mahatma Phule’s philosophy. Permanent settlement of disputes through Lok Adalats will help citizens avoid legal expenses, prolonged court proceedings and mental harassment.

Divisional Commissioners will submit quarterly reports to the government on the implementation of the campaign. The campaign is expected to bring relief to many citizens and farmers in Maharashtra who are caught up in pending revenue disputes.

The Maharashtra government's initiative to settle pending revenue disputes through Lok Adalats is a significant step towards providing timely justice to citizens and farmers. The campaign is expected to reduce legal expenses, prolonged litigation and mental stress, and provide permanent settlement of disputes.

In conclusion, the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Revenue Lok Adalat Campaign is a welcome initiative by the Maharashtra government to settle pending revenue disputes. The campaign is expected to bring relief to many citizens and farmers in the state and provide timely justice to those who need it most.

The success of the campaign will depend on the effective implementation of the settlement procedure and the cooperation of all parties involved. The Maharashtra government's initiative is a step in the right direction towards providing justice to citizens and farmers, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the state's revenue dispute resolution process.

Overall, the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Revenue Lok Adalat Campaign is a significant initiative by the Maharashtra government to settle pending revenue disputes. The campaign is expected to provide relief to many citizens and farmers in the state and provide timely justice to those who need it most.