When you buy land in Assam or apply to pay land revenue (e-Khajana) online, you will frequently hear two terms: Dag Number and Patta Number. Many people, especially first-time land buyers, get confused between these two. They often ask: Are they the same thing? If not, what is the difference?
Here I will explain in very simple language what exactly is a Dag number, what is a Patta number, how they differ, and where you can find them on your land documents.
What is a Dag Number?
A Dag Number (also known as Khasra number in other states of India) is a unique parcel identifier or plot number. Think of it like a roll number for your plot of land.
During land surveys, the government maps out every inch of land in a village. To identify each separate plot on the map, they assign a specific number to it. This number is called the Dag number. It helps the land department locate the exact position, boundaries, and size of a specific plot of land on the village map.
What is a Patta Number?
A Patta Number refers to the land ownership or lease certificate number. While the Dag number identifies the physical plot of land, the Patta number identifies the owner and their lease agreement with the government.
In Assam, the government issues a document called a "Patta" to the landowner, which acts as a legal proof of leasehold or ownership rights. The document contains a unique identification number, which is your Patta number. One Patta can cover multiple Dag numbers if a single person owns different land plots in the same village.
Key Differences: Dag Number vs Patta Number
| Feature | Dag Number | Patta Number |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Identifies the physical plot of land on the village map. | Identifies the legal lease/ownership certificate. |
| Nature | Permanent geographical number (unless land is divided). | Can change when ownership is transferred or mutated. |
| Scope | Applies to one specific plot of land. | Can contain multiple plots (Dags) owned by the same person. |
| Purpose | Used to locate the land boundaries and area. | Used to identify the legal title and tax liabilities. |
Types of Patta in Assam
In Assam, you will mostly find two types of land Patta:
- Myadi Patta (Periodic Patta): This is a permanent land lease granted by the government, usually valid for 30 years and automatically renewed. Landowners of Myadi Patta have full rights to transfer, sell, or mortgage their land.
- Eksonia Patta (Annual Patta): This is a temporary lease granted for one year. Landholders of Eksonia Patta cannot sell or transfer the land to others. To sell it, you must first convert the Eksonia Patta into Myadi Patta by applying at the circle office.
How to Find Your Patta and Dag Number?
You can easily find these numbers by looking at your old land documents:
- Land Revenue Receipt (Khajana Rashid): Check your previous physical or online Khajana receipts. The Patta number and Dag number are always printed clearly on the top left or middle section.
- Jamabandi (Record of Rights): Download your Jamabandi copy from the Dharitree portal. It lists all Dag numbers and the current Patta number associated with your land.
- Deed of Sale (Bikri Kabala): Your land purchase agreement lists the exact Dag and Patta numbers of the land you bought.
If you still cannot locate them, you can take your village name and visit the local Lot Mandal office. The Mandal can search the village field book (Chitha) and find your numbers in a few minutes.