Question.
Discuss the various stages of land reforms in Uttar Pradesh. How did landless agricultural laborers where benefit from the land reforms?
(UPPSC Mains General Studies-V/GS-5 2023 Solutions)
Answer.
During British rule, Lord Cornwallis brought the Zamindari system to Bengal and the United Provinces in 1792.
Apart from the Zamindari System, the Bengal Tenancy Act of 1859, the Oudh Rent Act of 1886, the United Provinces Land Revenue Act of 1901, the Agra Tenancy Act of 1926, and the United Province Tenancy Act of 1939 were some important acts that shaped the Land revenue system of United Provinces ( Uttar Pradesh).
After the independence, Land reforms were introduced to remove the middlemen and zamindar and protect the land rights.
Since Land is a state subject in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, each state made the land reform law as per their need after the independence of India.
As far as the Land reform of Uttar Pradesh is concerned, the Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Committee was formed ( 1945 to 1947) and it was headed by Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant.
Stages of land reforms in Uttar Pradesh include-
- Abolition of Zamindari and Intermediaries
- Tenancy Reforms
- Land-Ceiling
- Land Consolidation
- Cooperative Farming
The Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act was passed by Uttar Pradesh's assembly in 1950, however, it was implemented in 1951 and abolished the right of intermediaries.
The Act made four classes of land:
- Bhumidars (holders of land)
- Sirdar (wielder of the plough)
- Asami (non-owner)
- Adhivasi (occupant).
Bhumidars have full land rights [ usage and transfer], while the Sirdars were granted full rights to use but not for transfer.
In 1954, Adhivasi (occupant) also got the same land rights as Sirdar [ right to use the land but not transfer].
Benefits of landless agricultural laborers:
Land ownership and security of tenure:
Land Ceiling Act led to the redistribution of land from landlords to landless agricultural laborers. It provided the right to cultivate and transfer land.
Social and economic empowerment:
Land ownership improved the Socioeconomic status of landless agriculture laborers as it is the symbol of economic and social power in the rural area.
Criticism of land reforms:
The lack of accurate land records led to a delay in the implementation of land reforms in Uttar Pradesh.
Many people still hold huge land under "benami" names.
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