Question : LAND REFORMS

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the miserable conditions of landless persons in the rural areas of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to review the implementation of land reforms to ensure proper distribution of land among landless people and dalits;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said reforms are likely to be implemented; and

(e) the details of the steps taken by the Government to improve the condition oflandless villagers and the rural economy and the outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH )

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

Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 49 due for reply on 24.11.2011.

(a) : Yes, sir

(b): This Department with a view to look into the issues related to the land reforms, constituted a Committee on ? State Agrarian Relations and the unfinished Task in Land Reforms? under the Chairmanship of Minister of Rural Development. Simultaneously, a ?National Council for Land Reforms? under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister was also constituted to lay down broad guidelines and policy recommendations on agrarian relations and land reforms, based on the recommendations of the Committee or otherwise. The terms of reference of the Committee, inter-alia, included in-depth review of the issues related to land ceiling programme,bhoodan land,common property resources, tenancyetc.The Committee has submitted its report, and has made recommendations on various aspects of land reforms. The report of the Committee is to be placed before the ?National Council for Land Reforms? constituted under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minster for its consideration and directions. However, it has been decided that the recommendations of the Committee may be examined by an appropriate Committee of Secretaries (CoS) before these are placed for consideration of the ?National Council for Land Reforms?.

Accordingly, the recommendations have been examined by the CoS and its Report has also The report of the Committee is available on web-site of the Department, i.e., www.dolr.nic.in

(c)to (e): Land and its management falls within the legislative and administrative jurisdiction of the State Governments as provided under entry No. 18 of State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The role of the Central Government in this field is only of an advisory and coordinating nature. However, implementation of land reforms programme including distribution of surplus land and barren Govt. land is reviewed from time to time at various fora, including conferences of the Revenue Ministers/Secretaries of State and UTs organized by the Ministry of Rural Development. The State Governments/UT Administrations have been requested from time to time for effective implementation of the land reform programme/schemes including distribution of ceiling surplus land. The ?National Council for Land Reforms? may lay down broad guidelines and policy recommendations on land reforms, based on the recommendations by the Committee on ?State Agrarian Relations and the Unfinished Task in Land Reforms?