Dr.

Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University Lucknow

2019-2020

Rough Draft On

LAND LAW PROJECT WORK

“A CRITICAL STUDY ON LAND REFORMS IN INDIA”

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Dr. Shakuntla Margaret Rose

Assistant Professor (Law) Section- A

RMLNLU Enrollment

Number- 150101078

Semester – IXth
 Introduction

Land reform is a broad term. It refers to an institutional measure directed towards altering the
existing pattern of ownership, tenancy and management of land. It entails ―a redistribution of
the rights of ownership and/or use of land away from large landowners and in favour of
cultivators with very limited or no landholdings.‖ Thus, in a broad sense, land reform refers to an
improvement in agro-economic institutions. It includes measures and policies relating to the
redistribution of land, regulation of rent, improving the conditions of tenancy, cooperative
organisation, agricultural education, and so on. Land reform is a part of heritage of the country’s
freedom movement since the agrarian structure that we inherited from the British at the time of
independence was of the feudalistic exploitative character. Zamindars- intermediaries-
moneylenders played a big role in exploiting the masses. Land changes have been weakly
endeavoured at different circumstances and this has turned out to be an instance of the cure being
more terrible than the sickness. Remarking on the procedure of land changes, Prof. M.L.
Dantwala sees; "All things considered land changes in India ordered up until this point and those
examined sooner rather than later, are in the correct bearing; but then because of absence of
execution the genuine outcomes are a long way from tasteful". It is in this background that we
have to examine the objectives of land reform policy in India. Land reform measures aim not
only at raising agricultural productivity. It is also viewed as a tool for social uplift. Land program
in post-Independence Bharat has developed through entirely unexpected stages. all through the
Mughal sum, before the entry of a people there have been differed changes inside the
arrangement of land tax collection or income. Labourers kept on liking standard rights over land
they involved and as a rule couldn't be expelled unless they didn't pay the predetermined land
income (arrive assess) to the state. The undertaking of conglomeration arrive income was doled
out to a classification of operators alluded to as zamindars (Bhaumik,1993).
 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of the study is to assess the impact of reforms in changing the unequal and
exploitative agrarian structure. The paper also seeks to provide the context in which the reforms
were introduced, their objectives and the measures that they put forth.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research study encompasses an analysis of context and background in which the land
reforms were introduced in India outlining their need and objectives of the land reforms. The
measures have been discussed along with a critical analysis regarding the same. Their impact on
the Indian society and their overall positives and negatives are sought to be dealt with.

HYPOTHESIS

The researcher believes that the land reforms have been half-heartedly attempted at various times
and this has proved to be a case of the remedy being worse than the disease, which is why they
have failed in much of the arena where they were supposed to work.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Data Collection: The research on this topic has been conducted by adopting doctrinal method of
research. The primary data includes the various Acts and statutes relating to land reforms and
the Constitution of India, 1950. The secondary data has also been collected, the sources being
various books, journals, articles, online sources, etc.

Style of Writing: The style of writing is descriptive and analytical as all the relevant reforms
have been be outlined, discussed and analyzed.

Data Coverage: The project covers the objectives, measures and impact of the land reforms and
by analyzing the same, the researcher also seeks to put forth reasons for their failure and
suggestions in this regard.
 TENTATIVE CHAPTERISATION

 Introduction
 Need for land reforms and their objectives
 Land reform measures
 Suggestions for future policy for land reform measures
 Conclusion
 Bibliography

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 P. S. Appu, “Land Reforms in India”, Vikas Publishing, New Delhi, 1996.
 R. Deshpande, “Current Land Policy Issues in India”, FAO Documentary Repository,
available at: <http://www.fao.org/docrep/006/y5026e/y5026e0b.htm>.
 Report of the National Commission on Agriculture, 1976, Part I, Review and Progress,
Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, New Delhi.
 Sumit Chaturvedi, “Land Reforms Fail; 5% of India’s Farmers Control 32% Land”, The
Wire, available at: <https://thewire.in/33523/land-reforms-fail-5-of-indias-farmers-control-
32-land/>.