Unveiling LB6 and S432 land classifications in J&K: History, legal framework and present-day relevance

By Mohammad Amin Mir

Land classification and revenue terminology in Jammu and Kashmir reflect a layered historical legacy shaped by princely rule, post-independence land reforms, and contemporary digitization efforts. Among these classifications, the terms LB6 and S432 frequently emerge in revenue records, often puzzling researchers, administrators, and landowners alike. These terms are not mere bureaucratic codes—they encapsulate land reforms, agrarian transformations, and a state’s attempt to balance equity with economic pragmatism.

This article unpacks the origin, definition, eligibility, and current legal standing of LB6 and S432 lands and the notion of “tenant-at-will” in the context of Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving revenue system.

Historical Context: Origins of LB6 and S432

The origin of LB6 and S432 dates back to the transformative Big Landed Estates Abolition Act of 1950 and subsequent land reforms undertaken in the region. The law was aimed at dismantling feudal ownership patterns, redistributing land from landlords (Jagirdars and large landowners) to tillers of the soil.

LB6 refers to lands that were transferred to cultivating tenants under the land reforms of 1950 and later under the Jammu and Kashmir Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976.

S432, on the other hand, traces its roots to the Section 432 of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Rules, which essentially dealt with tenancy records and temporary allotments of land, especially post-1947 to refugees or displaced persons.

These terms were adopted in revenue records to categorize lands redistributed under different schemes and legal provisions. The idea was to not just document ownership but to reflect socio-political change—putting the actual tiller in possession of the land.

Definition and Purpose of LB6 Land

LB6 stands for “Lagan Billa 6,” a reference in revenue parlance to a specific category of land allotted to cultivating tenants who were granted ownership rights as a result of agrarian reforms.

Legal Definition: LB6 land refers to those parcels which were transferred in ownership to tillers by virtue of land reform laws such as the J&K Big Landed Estates Abolition Act, 1950 and the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, 1976.

Purpose: The primary purpose was land to the tiller. The state expropriated land beyond certain ceilings from big landlords and gave them to those who actually cultivated it. LB6 lands denote land parcels whose title has been conferred upon tillers, making them lawful owners.

Eligibility:

Cultivators who were in continuous possession and cultivation of land as tenants at the time of reform implementation.

Must have been paying rent or lagan to landlords and were recognized as lawful tenants.

Not Eligible:

Absentee landlords or tenants not physically cultivating land.

Individuals in unauthorized possession or those who encroached land post-reform cut-off dates.

Definition and Purpose of S432 Land

S432 references Section 432 of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Rules. While not a direct allotment law like LB6, it relates to entries in the revenue records where tenancy is recorded without formal ownership.

Legal Definition: These lands are often recorded in the name of a person as a tenant-at-will or temporary allottee, especially in the aftermath of Partition and during refugee resettlement efforts.

Purpose: The purpose was to provide temporary possession to cultivators or displaced persons, often with the possibility of regularization later. These records helped administration track who was on the land.

Eligibility:

Displaced persons or refugees from Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PAK).

Cultivators temporarily allotted land by the state, awaiting regularization.

Not eligible:

Non-cultivators or individuals who failed to maintain possession or cultivation.

Those whose entries were marked for eviction or cancellation due to legal disputes or violation of tenancy norms.

Who is a “Tenant-at-Will”?

The term “tenant-at-will” refers to a person who holds land with the permission of the owner or state without a fixed-term lease, and whose tenancy can be terminated at any time.

As per the J&K Agrarian Reforms Act and Revenue Rules:

A tenant-at-will was not considered a permanent tenant, and no ownership rights automatically accrued unless explicitly transferred through legal processes.

However, under LB6 reforms, many tenant-at-will cultivators were later granted ownership if they met the cultivation and possession criteria.

Thus, a tenant-at-will could become a landowner under LB6 but not necessarily under S432, unless further legal proceedings granted such rights.

Transition to Present-Day Revenue Records

The implementation of Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) has introduced greater transparency and digitization in revenue records, yet ambiguities around LB6 and S432 remain due to historical inconsistencies, outdated record formats, and lack of uniform digitization standards across districts.

Current Issues in Revenue Records:

Mismatched entries: Some cultivators are recorded as owners under LB6, while others with similar histories remain under S432 or as tenants.

Lack of clarity: Revenue officials often interpret S432 inconsistently across tehsils.

Regularization demands: Several petitions and litigations seek the conversion of S432 entries to LB6 or direct ownership.

Encroachment and misuse: Lands originally classified under LB6/S432 have sometimes been sold illegally, especially due to unclear title status.

Legal and Policy Recommendations

Clear demarcation: The government must issue fresh guidelines distinguishing LB6 and S432, and define rights clearly for each.

Special review committees: Constitute district-level legal bodies to review pending S432 entries for possible regularization.

Update records digitally: Ensure that LB6 and S432 are clearly reflected with legal citations and status in digitized Jamabandies and Girdawaris.

Legal awareness: Farmers and cultivators must be made aware of their rights through revenue literacy campaigns.

Prevent illegal mutations: A robust audit system must be established to check for tampering and fraudulent entries.

LB6 and S432 classifications in Jammu and Kashmir are not merely administrative entries but remnants of a bold socio-economic experiment to ensure equity. While LB6 lands represent fulfilled promises of land reform, S432 entries are a reminder of incomplete transitions, bureaucratic ambiguity, and the urgent need for clarity.

As Jammu & Kashmir marches towards modernization of land records, the interpretation and handling of LB6 and S432 will serve as a litmus test for its commitment to justice, transparency, and agrarian progress. Bringing uniformity in the legal standing of these land types and integrating them seamlessly into the digitized land records is not just a bureaucratic task—it is a historical necessity.