Q: Discuss the main features of Land Reforms in post-independence India.

Model Answer:

Land Reforms in India

Land reforms in post-independence India aimed to address rural inequality and boost agricultural productivity. The main features include:

1. Abolition of Intermediaries: The zamindari system was eliminated to establish a direct state-peasant relationship. Daniel Thorner termed this a “revolutionary step” in changing India’s agrarian structure.

2. Tenancy Reforms: These aimed to provide security of tenure, regulate rent, and confer ownership rights to tenants. Implementation varied across states, with West Bengal and Kerala being more successful than Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

3. Land Ceiling: Limits were set on individual land holdings to reduce ownership concentration. Surplus land was to be redistributed among landless and small farmers. However, loopholes and poor implementation limited its effectiveness.

4. Land Redistribution: The surplus land acquired through ceiling laws was to be redistributed among the landless and small farmers. However, the actual amount of land redistributed was quite small due to ineffective implementation.

5. Consolidation of Holdings: This reform aimed to combine fragmented land parcels into compact blocks for efficient farming. It faced resistance from farmers and lacked administrative support.

6. Cooperative Farming: Small farmers were encouraged to pool resources for joint cultivation, but this gained little traction due to individualistic tendencies.

A.R. Desai criticized the reforms as inadequate in truly transforming rural power structures. M.N. Srinivas noted that land reforms often benefited the middle castes more than the lowest castes, perpetuating some forms of inequality.

Overall, while land reforms significantly impacted India’s agrarian structure, their success varied regionally. Implementation was often hampered by political reluctance, dominant class resistance, and administrative inefficiencies.