INDIAN ECONOMY: LAND SYSTEM AND REFORMS IN INDIA

INDIAN ECONOMY: 

LAND SYSTEM AND REFORMS IN INDIA

Hi Friends,

Come On Let us dive into the ocean of Indian Economy,

Land Systems

1. Zamindari System
   • Government collect land tax through the intermediary of a zamindar
   • Land assigned to zamindar who bid the highest tax rate. Farmers lose ownership of land
   • Farmers pay tax to zamindar in cash
   • No remissions granted due to lost produce (due to weather etc)
   • Zamindari system implemented primarily in North India, especially Bengal, U.P., and Central Provinces and Berar
   • Attributed as a consequence of the Permanent Settlement under Lord Cornwallis
2. Ryotwari System
   • Government collects land tax directly from farmers (called “ryots”)
   • Land belongs to farmer, farmer pays fixed amount to government
   • Remissions granted lost produce (due to weather etc)
   • Ryotwari system implemented in Madras, Bombay, Assam and Burma
   • Attributed to Sir Thomas Munro, Governor of Madras

Land Reforms

1. Land Reforms Act 1955
   • All share croppers to have permanent use rights
   • Such rights to be inheritable
   • Croppers to pay legal share of crop to landlord
2. Land reforms in Kerala
   • Introduced Land Reforms Ordinance in 1957
   • Set absolute ceiling on land ownership. Tenants and hut dwellers receive claim on excess land
   • Fixity of tenure and protection from eviction
3. Land reforms in West Bengal
   • Initiated Operation Barga in 1978
   • Registered sharecroppers (”bargadars”) and educated them about cultivation rights
   • Bargadar rights made hereditary. Bargadars to receive fair share of crop (50-75%)
   • Land Ceiling Act: redistribution of ceiling-surplus land

THANKS

JOHAR..