Part -IV Extra Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs Department

Extra No. 11 © The Gujarat Government Gazette EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY Vol. LXVII ] TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026 / ASHADHA 23, 1948 Separate paging is given to this part in order that it may be filed as a Separate Compilation.

PART IV Acts of Gujarat Legislature and Ordinances promulgated and Regulations made by the Governor.

REVENUE DEPARTMENT Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, 14th July, 2026 GUJARAT ORDINANCE NO. 2 OF 2026.

AN ORDINANCE further to amend the Gujarat Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947.

WHEREAS the Legislative Assembly of the State of Gujarat is not in Session;;

AND WHEREAS the Governor of Gujarat is satisfied that circumstances exist which Bom. LXII render it necessary for him to take immediate action to amend the Gujarat Prevention of of 1947. Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947;

AND WHEREAS instructions of the President under proviso to clause (1) of article 213 of the Constitution of India have been obtained;

NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred on him by clause (1) of article 213 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Gujarat is hereby pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance, namely: - IV- Ex.-11 11-111-2 GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, EX. 14-07-2026 [ PART IV

1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Ordinance may be called the Gujarat Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026.

(2) It shall come into force at once.

2. Bom. LXII of 1947 to be temporarily amended.- During the period of operation of Bom. LXII this Ordinance, the Gujarat Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of of 1947.

Holdings Act, 1947 (hereinafter referred to as "the principal Act") shall have effect subject to the amendment specified in sections 3 and 4.

3. Amendment of Section 5 of Bom. LXII of 1947.- In the principal Act, in section 5, after sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be added, namely: - “(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 4 or foregoing sub-sections, the State Government may from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare a standard area for any class of land in any local area.”.

4. Amendment of section 9 of Bom. LXII of 1947.- In the principal Act, in section 9, after sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be added, namely: - “(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, a transfer or partition of a land contrary to the provisions of this Act made on or after the 29th January, 1948 but on or before 31st March, 2026 shall be deemed to have been regularised without charging any penalties or premium therefor and all pending proceedings before any officer or authority in respect of the aforesaid transfer or partition shall abate.”.

STATEMENT The Gujarat Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947 (Bom. LXII of 1947) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") was enacted with the objective of preventing fragmentation of agricultural land holdings and providing for consolidation thereof, with a view to securing agricultural efficiency and ensuring orderly management of agricultural land.

The Act has been in force for more than seven decades. During this period, substantial changes have taken place in the socio-economic conditions of the State, patterns of land use and agricultural practices. In view of these developments, it has become necessary to review certain provisions of the Act to ensure that its objectives are achieved in a manner consistent with present-day requirements.

With expansion of urban and municipal areas, agricultural lands situated in such areas and their periphery have been included in residential, commercial, and industrial zones under development Plans, rendering such lands eligible and more suitable for non-agricultural use.

Notwithstanding this, transfers and partitions of such lands, effected in contravention of the provisions of the Act, have led to creation of fragmented holdings. Due to statutory restrictions, or such transactions reflected in record of rights evidence are in violation of provision of the Act at relevant time, thereby preventing occupants from obtaining requisite permissions for commencement of non-agricultural use.

In order to resolve the said issue it is necessary to amend the sections 5 and 9 of the Act to meet current socio-economic and land use realities and to balance agricultural interests with developmental needs of the State.PART IV ] GUJARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, EX. 14-07-2026 11-3 As the Legislative Assembly of the State of Gujarat is not in session, the Gujarat Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings (Amendment) Ordinance is promulgated to amend the Gujarat Prevention of Fragmentation and Consolidation of Holdings Act, 1947 to achieve the aforesaid objects.

Gandhinagar. ACHARYA DEVVRAT, Dated the 10th July, 2026. Governor of Gujarat.

By order and in the name of the Governor of Gujarat, DR. JAYANTI S. RAVI, Additional Chief Secretary to Government. ---------- Government Central Press, Gandhinagar.