Question : LAND REFORM PROGRAMMES

(a) whether the Government has urged the States to review work undertaken under land reform programmes and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the surplus land allotted to intended beneficiaries during the last two Five Year Plans period, Plan-wise and State-wise;

(c) whether the benefit of land reform programmes has not percolated to the masses and if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard; and

(d) the extent of success achieved under the programme and the measures taken/ being taken by the Government to provide maximum benefits to the intended beneficiaries?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI BIRENDER SINGH)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply Parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 45 due for reply on 26.02.2015

(a) Land and its management falls within the jurisdiction of States as per Entry 18 of List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The role of the Central Government in the field of land reforms is only of an advisory and coordinating nature. The Minister of Rural Development has issued two Advisories on Land Reforms to the Chief Minister of various States in the month of March, 2013. The First Advisory lists several measures including provision of free legal assistance to the poor for securing their land rights by establishing Land Rights and Legal Assistance Centre. The Second Advisory relates to specific measures to be taken by each State concerning access to land for the poor that need resolution by the concerned State.

(b) Based on the information received from States/UTs, the details of surplus land allotted to intended beneficiaries State-wise is at Annexure.

(c) & (d) As per information received from the States/UTs, an area of 68.45 lakh acres has been declared surplus, of which an area of 61.48 lakh acres has been taken possession of and an area of 50.94 lakh acres has been distributed to 57.25 lakh beneficiaries. Out of the total 50.94 lakh acres of area distributed, 19.04 lakh acres, 7.83 lakh acres and 24.06 lakh acres have been distributed respectively to SCs, STs and other beneficiaries. The State Governments/UT Administrations have been requested from time to time for effective implementation of land reforms programmes/schemes including distribution of surplus land.