Land Reforms PDF

## Chapter 8: Land Reforms ### 1. Meaning of Land Reforms - Both institutional and technical factors play a significant role in increasing the production of agriculture and landholdings. - Technical factors are concerned with mechanization of agriculture, techniques of farming, methods of irrigati...

## Chapter 8: Land Reforms ### 1. Meaning of Land Reforms - Both institutional and technical factors play a significant role in increasing the production of agriculture and landholdings. - Technical factors are concerned with mechanization of agriculture, techniques of farming, methods of irrigation, etc. Reforms related to institutional factors are called land reforms. - According to Myrdal, "Land Reforms are planned and institutional reorganisation of the relation between man and land." - In the words of Dr. B.B. Sindhu, "Land Reforms mean deliberate change introduced into the system of land tenure and the farming structure." - The term land reforms is used for all those reforms which are concerned with land ownership and landholdings. - Land reforms include the following reforms: #### Distributive Measures - These measures are made to distribute land among the tillers. - It has two aspects: - All intermediaries are abolished and land is taken from them. These intermediaries may or may not be given compensation. - The land obtained as a result of the abolition of intermediaries is actually distributed among the farmers. The conditions on which the land is given and the size of land that is given to each cultivator are also determined under these measures. #### Tenancy Measures - These measures are related to such reforms as: - Regulation of Rent - Security of Tenure - Ceiling on Landholdings #### Agrarian Reorganisational Measures - These measures relate to the size of holdings. - Evils of sub-division and fragmentation of holdings are sought to be removed by such measures as consolidation of holdings, cooperative farming, etc. - In short, land reforms imply such institutional changes which turn over ownership of the farms to those who actually till the soil, and which raise the size of the farm to make it operationally viable. - In simple terms, land reforms mean such measures as: - Abolition of intermediaries - Tenancy reforms - Ceiling on landholdings - Consolidation and cooperative farming, etc. ### 2. Objectives of Land Reforms - According to Planning Commission, "The objectives of land reforms have been to remove such impediments to the increase in agricultural production as arise from the agrarian structure inherited from the past, and also to eliminate all elements of exploitation and social injustice within the agrarian system so as to ensure tenurial security and equal opportunity to the vast sections of the rural population." - Following are the main objectives of land reforms: #### Increase in Production - According to Planning Commission, the first objective of land reforms is to remove the obstacles in the way of increased agricultural production and motivate the farmers to produce more. - This objective can be achieved in many ways, e.g.: - Fixation of maximum and minimum limit of holding - Consolidation of holdings, so as to avoid wastage of labour and capital. #### Social Welfare - Another objective is to introduce such reforms as to end the exploitation of the farmers and social injustice. - The aim of land reforms is to promote social welfare and equitable distribution of income. - It aims at: - Giving land to landless farmers by fixing ceiling on landholdings. - Giving land to the tiller by abolishing the zamindari system and introducing tenancy reforms. #### Economic Development - Long-term economic planning requires that development and social policies should supplement each other. - These reforms will, on the one hand, be helpful to meet the objective of social justice and on the other help the farmers become progressive. - Consequently, production will increase which will promote economic development. #### High Standard of Living - Raising of the standard of living of the villagers is another objective of the land reforms. - Economic condition of living of the villagers is another improved and economic development of the villages is to be effected. ### 3. Need or Role of Land Reforms in India - Agriculture in India is very backward. - There are several reasons for the backwardness of agriculture, of which defective land policy is the main. - Planning Commission has pointed out following main defects of land policy: - Multiplicity of intermediaries between the state governments and the cultivators. - No improvement is effected by the cultivator because of lack of security of tenure. - Cultivators have very little incentive to produce more because of high rent. - Application of modern and scientific methods of cultivation is not possible owing to large-scale sub-division and fragmentation of holdings. - Because of unequal distribution of land, many villagers either do not own any land or have very small proportion of the total village land. - Most of the farmers are poor because of low production per hectare. - Green Revolution has further accentuated inequality between rich and poor farmers. - Nobel prize winner Gunnar Myrdal was of the opinion that for the development of Indian agriculture, the importance of land reforms is greater than that of technological reforms. - Importance of land reforms in India is evident from the following facts: #### Incentive to Cultivators - Most of the land in India is cultivated under tenancy system. - It means that the actual cultivator is not the owner of the land that he cultivates. - This system provides no incentive to the cultivator to improve the quality of soil and/or to use modern farm technology. - It is, therefore, necessary that land tenure system should be such as to enable the tiller of the soil to become its owner, or it should ensure him that he alone will get the full benefit of his labour and investment. - Consequently, he will make increasing use of new farm technology, work hard and produce more. - Land reforms alone can provide such an incentive. #### Increase in Production - Land reforms create a congenial atmosphere for the farmers to take greater interest in farming and work with greater zeal and devotion. - If land tenure system is just or holdings are of adequate size or cooperative farming is practised, then the farmer will make efficient use of the resources and effectively supervise agricultural operations. - As a result, there will be an increase in agricultural productivity and production. #### Planned Development - Due to land reforms, there will be a direct relation between government and the farmers. - Such direct relation will facilitate the use of land in consonance with the planned development of agriculture. - The facilities provided by the government can be used by the farmers for planned agricultural development. #### Social Justice - Land reforms will dispense social justice to millions of farmers. - Their exploitation will cease and they will enjoy the fruit of their labour and investment. - Because of land reforms, inequalities in the distribution of wealth and income will be reduced. #### Increase in Income - Land reforms will pave the way for increased size of holding. - Economic position of the farmers will be improved. - They will progressively adopt new techniques of farming. - Consequently, green revolution will become a permanent feature in the country. - According to Planning Commission, "Consolidation of holdings, tenancy regulations and up-to-dating of land records would widen the access of small and marginal landholders to improved technology and inputs and thereby directly lead to increase in agricultural production." ### 4. Main Land Reforms - In India, following land reforms have been introduced: - Abolition of Zamindari - Tenancy Reforms - Ceiling on Landholdings - Consolidation of Landholdings - Cooperative Farming - Up-to-date Land Records - Bhoodan Movement #### Abolition of Zamindari - Historical and political factors account for the origin of the zamindari system in India. - Under this system, land is owned by a zamindar. - He gives the land on lease to the cultivators for cultivation. - These cultivators, known as tenants, can be evicted from land at any time. - Zamindar is liable to pay land revenue to the government. - With the passage of time, many defects crept into the system. - Zamindars did not make any effort to develop agriculture. - Decay of cottage industries and rapid growth in population led to rise in demand for land, on account of which zamindars started charging high rents from the cultivators. - The only aim of the zamindars was to exploit the farmers and charge exorbitant rent. - Consequently. Indian agriculture became backward subsistence farming. - On account of evils of zamindari system, its abolition became inevitable in the interest of Indian agriculture. - At the time of independence of the country, 40 per cent of land was under this system. - After independence, legislations for the abolition of zamindari system were passed in different states. - The first act meant for abolishing zamindari system was passed in 1950 in Bihar. - It was followed by Uttar Pradesh in 1952 and subsequently all states, where this system existed, passed legislative measures to abolish it. ##### Features of Zamindari Abolition: - Abolition of the Rights of Zamindars: Except in Jammu & Kashmir state, land has been taken from the zamindars and they have been paid compensation. - The ownership rights of the zamindars have been abolished. - As a result, more than 20 million farmers have come into direct contact with the government. - Payment of Compensation: In some states, the compensation was paid in the form of bonds. - Period of bonds varied from 10 to 30 years. - A fund called Zamindari Abolition Fund was created for making payment of bonds. - Ownership of Land: The land taken from the zamindars has been given to those farmers who used to cultivate it. - The latter were now called Bhumidhars (Landowners). - Those cultivators who wanted to acquire ownership rights on the land were called upon to pay to the government a given multiple of the rent that they used to pay to the zamindar. - In Uttar Pradesh, it was fixed at ten times the annual rent. - In this way, landless labourers have become Bhumidhars. - Government Ownership over Common Land: Common land of the village, such as wasteland, grazing land, etc., which was previously owned by the zamindars is now under the ownership of the government. - This common land of the village, such as wasteland, grazing land, etc., which was previously owned by the zamindars, is now under the ownership of the government. - Exemption for Self-cultivation: Land which was cultivated by the zamindar himself has been left with him. - Responsibility for the Payment of Land Revenue: Consequent upon abolition of zamindari, the cultivator himself will make payment of land revenue to the government. - Thus, cultivator is directly liable for the payment of land revenue. ##### Effects of Zamindari Abolition: - End of Intermediaries (Zamindars): Due to zamindari abolition, farmers have come in direct contact with the government. - Relief to Farmers: Zamindari abolition has freed the farmers' exploitation at the hands of zamindars. - The farmers are relieved of unfair practices adopted by zamindars for collecting land revenue. - Government Ownership over Common Land: Earlier, common land of the villages was under the control of zamindars. - Due to zamindari abolition, this common land has come under the control of government. - This common land is handed over by government to village panchayats for collective benefit of all villagers. - Increase in Agriculture Production: Earlier, neither the zamindars, nor the cultivators took interest in improvement of agriculture land. - With zamindari abolition, the cultivators have got ownership rights and hence take keen interest in land improvement, which leads to increase in agriculture production. ##### Evaluation: - Abolition of zamindari is an important initial step towards land reforms in the country. - On account of this abolition, now farmer has a direct contact with the government. - It was estimated that 1,730 lakh hectares of land was acquired from the intermediaries (zamindars) and as a consequence, about two crore tenants were brought into direct relationship with the government. - Government not only collects land revenue but also promotes welfare of the farmers and pursues policies that lead to increase in agricultural production. - However, abolition of zamindari has also its adverse effects. - Zamindars taking advantage of the provision of self-cultivation had evicted the tenants from the land. - Thus, zamindari could not be completely abolished. - According to state governments, between 1947 and 1956, all intermediaries were abolished, but as a matter of fact only legislations have been enacted and there are so many loopholes therein that several difficulties are coming in the way of their implementation. #### Tenancy Reforms - When the owner of land does not cultivate his land himself but gets cultivation from the tenants, then such a system is called Tenancy System. - In India, about 40 per cent agriculture is under this system. - According to 1980 Census, in India 5 crore and 10 lakh people have no land of their own. - They work on others' land. - They are called landless agricultural labourers. ##### Kinds of Tenants: - Tenants are of three kinds: - Occupancy Tenants: Such tenants enjoy hereditary rights to cultivate land. - So long as they pay rent regularly they cannot be evicted. - Such tenants can give the land on lease, mortgage it and can effect permanent improvements on it. - Non-occupancy Tenants or Tenants-at-will: These tenants have no right on land. - The zamindar can evict them at any time at his sweet will and can also raise their rent to any extent. - Sub-tenant: When an occupancy tenant does not cultivate the land himself and gives the same on rent to other cultivators, then such cultivators are called sub-tenants. - Non-occupancy tenants and sub-tenants lead a miserable life, as they can be evicted at any moment. - According to National Sample Survey, 20 per cent of total cultivable land is under this kind of tenancy. ##### Features of Reforms in Tenancy System: - Tenancy system in India has been prevalent since long. - Special legislative measures have been taken to reform the system after independence. - The salient features of these measures are as follows: - Regulation of Rent: Before independence there was no legislation to determine rent. - Zamindar used to determine rent according to his discretion. - Mostly, the rate of rent used to be between 50 to 75 per cent of the total produce. - A substantial part of the income of the cultivator went to the landowner by way of rent. - So, cultivator's power to save was reduced. - Neither he had the capacity to effect improvement in agriculture nor had he any interest in such an activity. - It was, therefore, very much desirable that a reasonable limit of rent be fixed. - After independence, legislations regarding fixation of maximum rent have been enacted. - The total amount of rent has been fixed between 25 per cent to 33.33 per cent of the total produce. - Throughout India, except Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, the rate of rent has been fixed between 25 per cent to 33.33 per cent of the total produce. - Security of Tenure: Insecurity of tenure is a big hurdle in the improvement of agriculture. - For want of security of tenure, the cultivator pays little attention to the supervision of land, digging of well or tubewell and construction of embankment. - It affects agricultural produce adversely. - For social justice and increased agricultural production, security of tenure is must. - Many states have passed laws in this respect except states like Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, etc. - The main features of laws passed for security of tenure are: - Tenants should not be evicted from land unlawfully. - A landowner can resume land for self-cultivation only. - Even where resumption is permitted, a minimum size of holding has to be left with tenant. - Right of Ownership for Tenants: Main objective of land reforms is "Land to the tiller of the soil." - Laws have been passed in all states in this respect. - In some states, ceiling on landholdings has been fixed. - Ownership of land above the ceiling limit is automatically vested with the tenant on payment of compensation. - Compensation for Improvement on Land: In a few states, legislations were enacted for the payment of compensation for permanent improvement affected on land, such as, digging of well, planting of trees, construction of farm house, embankment, etc. - Remission of Rent: In the event of natural calamities when government remits land-revenue to the landlord, the latter too will have to remit rent to the cultivator. - Check on Forced Labour (Begari): Receiving the presents from cultivators or subjecting them to forced labour by the landlords was declared unlawful. - Exemption from Attachment: If a cultivator defaults in the payment of rent, the landlord cannot get his cattle, implements and standing crops attached through a decree of court. ##### Evaluation: - Tenancy reforms had a very good effect on Indian agriculture. - Passing of laws regarding fixing of maximum rent, security of tenure and right of ownership to the cultivators, etc., had a favourable effect. - However, even these reforms have some defects. - For example: - Rent of land continues to be quite high. - Landlords have resumed land by evicting tenants on the plea of self-cultivation. - As a matter of fact, they do not cultivate such land themselves, but give the same to others for cultivation on the basis of share-cropping. - The provision of making tenants Bhumidhar is very complicated. Hence, it is very difficult for the tenants to get the right of ownership to land. - Tenancy reforms have not been fully enforced. - For want of up to date land records, it has become very difficult for the tenants to assert their right to ownership of land. #### Ceiling on Landholdings - Ceiling on landholdings implies fixation of maximum size of holdings and to take away surplus land, if any, for distribution among others. - Land over and above the ceiling limit, called surplus land, is taken from the landlord on payment of compensation. - This surplus land is distributed among small farmers, tenants, landless labourers or it is handed over to village panchayat or cooperative farming societies. - The objectives of ceiling on landholdings are: - To minimise inequality in the ownership and use of land so as to provide social benefit to all. - To reduce inequality of income from agriculture. - To provide self-employment opportunities to agricultural labourers. - To satisfy the desire to own land. - Ceiling on landholdings is of two kinds: ##### Ceiling on Existing Holdings - In this case, ceiling is imposed on the present holdings. - Land above the ceiling limit is declared surplus and taken by the government. ##### Ceiling on Future Acquisition of Land - Under it, ceiling is fixed on the land that an individual or a family may acquire in future with a view to enlarging his existing holdings. ##### Progress of Ceiling on Landholdings - In almost all states of the country, ceiling on landholdings has been fixed. - Ceiling fixed in different states is shown in the table. | States | Ceiling fixed (in hectares) | States | Ceiling fixed (in hectares) | |-----------------|---------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------| | Andhra Pradesh | 4.05 to 21.85 | Madhya Pradesh | 7.28 to 21.85 | | Bihar | 6.07 to 18.21 | Maharashtra | 7.28 to 21.85 | | Gujarat | 4.05 to 21.85 | Odisha | 4.05 to 18.21 | | Haryana | 7.25 to 21.85 | Punjab | 7.00 to 20.50 | | Himachal Pradesh | 4.05 to 28.33 | Rajasthan | 7.28 to 70.82 | | J&K | 3.60 to 9.20 | Tamil Nadu | 4.86 to 24.28 | | Karnataka | 4.05 to 21.85 | Uttar Pradesh | 7.28 to 28.33 | | Kerala | 4.86 to 6.07 | West Bengal | 5.00 to 7.00 | - In case of irrigated land, land ceiling varies from 4 hectares to 7 hectares; while, in case of dry land ceiling varies from 8 to 70 hectares. - So far, 73.5 lakh hectares of land has been declared surplus. - Of it, government has acquired only 64.97 lakh hectares. - Out of it, 54.03 lakh hectares has been distributed among 57.46 lakh landless farmers. ##### Exemption from Ceiling on Landholdings - Planning Commission had recommended exemption from ceiling laws and several types of holdings during the second five year plan period. - The objective of these exemptions was to insulate the efficiency and productivity of agriculture from the ill-effects of ceiling. - The types of land exempted from the provisions of ceiling laws were: - Tea, Coffee and Rubber plantation. - Orchards. - Farms for cattle and sheep-rearing for the purpose of gathering wool. - Sugar cane farms attached to sugar mills. - Efficiently managed large-sized farms with large amount of capital invested therein. - Land belonging to charitable trusts. - The list of exemptions was quite long. - In the new policy of 1972, the number of exemptions was considerably reduced. - Under it, mechanised farms, land belonging to private trusts etc., are no longer on the exemption list. - Thus, under the new policy a larger surplus of land may be expected. ##### Advantages or Arguments in Favour of Ceilings on Landholdings - Main arguments in favour of ceilings on landholdings are as follows: - Reduction in Inequality: Supply of land being limited and its demand being unlimited, it becomes imperative that land should be divided among larger number of people. - When all farmers get some land, inequality in the distribution of land will be reduced. - Agriculture being the main source of income in villages, there will be reduction in income inequalities and social inequalities as well. - Development of Cooperation: It will promote spirit of cooperation among villagers because it is among the equals that cooperation succeeds the most. - It will help develop cooperative farming, because the land made available after imposition of ceiling, can be cultivated on cooperative basis. - Increase in Cultivated Area: Large tracts of land belonging to big zamindars remain uncultivated. - When this land will be handed over to landless labourers, consequent upon ceiling on landholdings, it will be brought under cultivation. - As a result, total cultivated area in the country will increase. - More Production: Equal distribution of land will encourage intensive cultivation resulting in increased agricultural production. - Old landowners will also practise intensive cultivation as they will be left with less land than before on account of ceiling on landholdings. - Farm management studies conducted in India testified that small farms yielded more production per hectare. - It is so because family members themselves cultivate small farms. - Increase in Employment: Fixation of ceiling on landholdings will increase employment. - Landless farmers will get land to cultivate all the year round. - Further, there will be more demand for goods owing to increase in the income of the farmers. - To meet the increased demand more labourers will have to be employed. - Economic Size of Holdings: Land declared surplus consequent upon ceiling on land-holdings will be distributed among small farmers turning their holdings into economic holdings. - According to Sh. Subramaniam, ex-planning minister, even one hectare of land is also an economic holding these days on account of improvement in agricultural technique. - Hence, small size of holding due to ceiling will not have any adverse effect on agricultural production. - Decrease in Class Struggle: With reduction in inequality among the villagers, possibility of class struggle will be minimised. - They will live with peace and harmony. ##### Evaluation: - As a result of ceiling on landholdings, roughly 160 lakh hectares of land was likely to be made available as surplus land. - However, only 73.5 lakh hectares of land has been declared surplus and out of it 54.03 lakh hectares have been distributed among landless farmers. - Thus, progress in this direction is very slow. - In ceilings on landholdings, the definition of family includes husband, wife and 3 minor children. - For instance, if ceiling of 21 hectares has been fixed for a family and that family has say two major children, then the family can hold 63 hectares of land i.e. 21 hectares for family and 21 hectares for each major child. - This is quite unjust. - Overall progress of land ceilings has been extremely disappointing. - Mere passing of legislation regarding ceiling on landholdings is not sufficient in India. - It is equally necessary to create congenial atmosphere to enforce these legislations. - For it, neither the political atmosphere in the country is favourable nor are landless agricultural labourers and small farmers so organised and conscious as to get this law enforced effectively. #### Consolidation of Landholdings - Farms in India are not only small in size but also lie scattered. - Unless the farm is of reasonable size, farmer cannot make proper use of his resources. - In the interest of progressive farming, it is essential that the farmer be given one consolidated piece of land in lieu of his small and scattered holdings. - Conversion of many small and fragmented holdings into one or two big farms is called Consolidation of Holdings. ##### Methods of Consolidation: - Two methods of consolidation have been adopted in India: - Voluntary Consolidation: If the farmer agrees voluntarily to get his holdings consolidated, it is called voluntary consolidation. - The process of voluntary consolidation in India was first of all initiated in 1921 in Punjab by cooperative societies. - It is the best method, as no pressure is exerted on anybody. - The work of cooperative consolidation does not lead to any dispute, but its progress is very slow. - Zamindars usually create hurdles in its progress. - Sometimes a few obstinate farmers oppose the scheme. - Laws favouring voluntary consolidation have been passed in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. - Compulsory Consolidation: When consolidation is made compulsory by law, it is called compulsory consolidation. - It may be of two types: - Partial Compulsion: Under it, if a majority of farmers in a village agree to get their holdings consolidated, then the rest of the farmers too will have to get their fragmented holdings consolidated, according to the law. - It was Madhya Pradesh that took initiative in passing the first Act in 1923 in this respect. - In 1936, a similar Act was passed in Punjab. - According to this Act, if 2/3rd of the landowners owning 3/4th of total village land agree to consolidation, then the others will also have to get their fragmented holdings consolidated. - Complete Compulsion: In this case, government by legislative enactment introduces an element of compulsion in the process of consolidation. - Bombay state (now Maharashtra) was the first state to enact compulsory consolidation legislation in 1947. - Punjab followed it and passed Compulsory Consolidation Act in 1948. - Now many states have passed laws to this effect. ##### Advantages of Consolidation: - In India, advantages of consolidation to farmers are so much that they outweigh all the benefits of village reforms. - Advantages of consolidation are as follows: - Scientific methods of cultivation become possible on consolidated holdings. - Time, effort and money wasted in moving from one farm to the other is saved. - The farmer feels encouraged to spend money on the improvement of his land. - No land is wasted in making boundaries. - Irrigation can be done efficiently. - Modern methods of cultivation reduce cost of production and increase income. - Litigation is considerably reduced. - Surplus land after consolidation is used for gardens, schools, panchayat ghar, roads, playgrounds, etc. - In brief, the problem of fragmentation of holdings is solved. - Size of the farms is enlarged. - It helps in increasing agricultural production. ##### Difficulties in Consolidation: - Following are the main difficulties in the way of consolidation of landholdings in India: - Lack of Records: In many areas records showing title to the land are not available. - Lack of Trained Staff: Consolidation work is a technical work. - It requires trained employees. - Such trained staff is lacking in India. - Expenditure: It is an expensive task. - In some states, fees is charged for this purpose. - Opposition by Farmers: Indian peasant is orthodox. - He does not want to part with the land of his ancestors. - Rich and influential farmers, owning large tracts of fertile land, opposed consolidation. - Difference in the Land Value: Another difficulty of consolidation was variation in the price of land in the villages. - This variation is chiefly due to irrigation facilities. - Corruption: Corrupt government officials add to difficulties of consolidation. ##### Progress of Consolidation in Five Year Plans - The process of consolidation has been progressing very slowly in India. - So far, it has been completed in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. - Land consolidated in Punjab is 482 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh and 527 lakh hectares in Maharashtra has been consolidated. - Up to March 31, 2004, consolidation had been done on 1633 lakh hectares of land in India. ### 5. Cooperative Farming - Cooperative farming refers to an organization in which each constituent farmer remains the owner of his land but all agricultural operations are conducted jointly. - Profit is distributed among the members in the ratio of land owned by them. - Each member receives wages according to the number of days actually worked by him. - Cooperative farming is specially helpful in solving the problem of sub-division and fragmentation of holdings. - According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, "Cooperative Farming Society is one in which ownership of land vests with individual cultivator but cultivation operation is done jointly". - In case of cooperative farming, large-scale farming can be taken, like per hectare cost of using tubewell, tractor comes down. - But, some hardworking farmers become lazy as they think that they will get the same amount of profit as received by hardworking farmers. - Five year plans attached great importance to cooperative farming. - Presently, about 9,800 cooperative farming societies are in operation in the country. - Their membership is about 3.25 lakh and they have 5.7 lakh hectares of land under them. - Dr. Raj Krishan states, "Cooperative farming cannot last long. It breaks up and takes either the form of a limited cooperative or compulsory collective structure." - Cooperative farming in India has not been a success. ### 6. Up-to-date Land Records - Correct and updated land records are crucial for the security of land rights. - These result in fewer land disputes and conflicts. - There is a great need to update land records in order to enforce land reforms and to make settlements regarding agriculture. - In the whole country, special steps are being taken to up-date the records concerning ownership of land, the rights of the farmers, and sharing of production etc. - In most of the states, records are being prepared with the help of the Registrar of Annual Crops. - The central government has also adopted a plan to get the land records updated. - In Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh pass books have been issued to the owners of land on the basis of land records. - National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) has been started for updating and digitizing land records by the end of Twelfth Plan. - Computers are being used for maintaining records concerning the land. - Computerisation of land record scheme has been started in all the districts of the country. ### 7. Bhoodan Movement - Bhoodan Movement was started by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in year 1951. - In this movement, big landowners were requested to donate some land. - The movement was popularised in the belief that land is a gift of nature and it belonged to all. - The land donated by landowners was distributed among landless labourers. - The donors of land were not given any compensation. - This movement helped to reduce the gap between haves and have-nots in rural areas. - This movement was unofficial. - The landlords were under no compulsion to donate their land, it was a voluntary movement. - It was not much successful as landlords did not donate much of their land. ### 5. Evaluation of Land Reforms/Progress of Land Reform Measures - In India, the work of land reforms was started with great enthusiasm, but this seems to be slowing so soon. - In India, land reforms are not implemented in the true spirit. - Progress of land reform measures is as follows: #### Abolition of Zamindari - Zamindari abolition has put an end to the farmers' exploitation at the hands of zamindars. - Now farmers have come in direct contact with government. - Cultivators of land have got ownership rights of land. #### Tenancy Reforms - Various tenancy reforms took place in India. - Government has fixed the maximum amount of rent that can be charged by landowners from the tenants. - It was fixed between 25 per cent to 33.33 per cent of the total produce. - Tenants are provided security of tenure, i.e., the tenants are assured that they can cultivate the land for a long time period. - In some cases they are even given ownership rights. #### Ceiling on Landholdings - Land ceilings have been fixed for various areas and the land over and above the ceiling limit was taken over by government from the landlord on payment of compensation. - This land was distributed among landless agricultural labourers or small farmers. #### Consolidation of Landholdings - Fragmented landholdings of farmers have been consolidated by allotting land at one place in return of fragmented lands. - It helped the farmers to instal tubewell and use modern agricultural equipments. - It has been very successful in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. - So far, 1,633 lakh hectares of land has been consolidated in India. #### Cooperative Farming - Land reforms also encouraged cooperative farming. - Benefits of large scale farming have been possible by cooperative farming. - Many cooperative farming societies are working in India. #### Computerisation of Land Records - Land records of all the districts have been computerised. #### Bhoodan Movement - In this movement, big landowners were motivated to donate some part of their land for the benefit of landless agricultural labourers. - In the initial years of this movement in 1951-1960 it was successful in some areas of the country. - M.L. Dantewala has rightly observed in this connection, "By and large, land reforms in India enacted so far and those contemplated in near future are in the right direction, and yet due to lack of implementation the results are far from satisfactory." ### 5.1 Causes of Slow Progress of Land Reforms or Defects of Land Reforms #### Uncoordinated - The policy of land reforms was implemented in a slow and uncoordinated manner. - Different steps were implemented differently. - This is the reason that the problem could not be solved effectively. - It took a period of ten years to implement the reform of the abolition of zamindari. It delayed other reforms. #### Lack of Political Will - There was lack of political will in the country to implement the land reforms more effectively. - It is the responsibility of the state governments to implement these reforms. - These governments are under the strong influence of big landlords. - State governments do not want to implement such land reforms as are against the big landlords. So, these governments could not take effective steps to implement these reforms. #### Land Reform Laws - Raj Krishan Committee suggested that the laws regarding land reforms should be included in the Ninth Schedule of the constitution so that the same cannot be challenged in any court of law. #### Facility of Finance - The farmers, who happen to get land as a result of land reforms, should be provided economic facilities so that they can utilise their land in a proper way. #### Efficient Implementation of Land Reforms - For the success of the land reforms programmes, it is essential that they should be implemented efficiently. - For this purpose a time-bound programme should be planned. #### Publicity of Laws - There should be comprehensive publicity about land reforms laws among the villagers. - These laws should be published in different languages. - These should be distributed through the Block Development Officials and the Gram Sevaks. - Through publicity about the laws, the poor peasants will come to know about their rights, and they will impress upon the officials for their proper implementation. #### Speedy Distribution of Surplus Land - After the ceiling of holdings,