Land Policy since Ancient era

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Introduction–

Land policy in India has been an important topic of government policy discussion. Since the ancient era, various changes took place in land policy. It was only after independence, the major issues of land has been somewhat sorted out.

In the regime of Akbar, his land revenue officer Todar Mal gave the shape to land policy by introducing various features like land measurement, fixed land revenue and classification of lands. It was the possible beginning of systematic efforts in this field. Under the pre-British era, land revenue was collected by state and it was the sole owner of land who confirmed their rights to land produce. During British rule, existence of non-cultivating intermediaries made the condition even worse by extracting high revenues and sustaining the political hold on the country. At the time of independence, Indian agrarian system was characterised by parasitic intermediaries, high rent, different land revenues, small farmers holding large lands etc.

After Independence-

Immediately after the independence, the newly formed government appointed a Committee under J. C. Kumarappa. His Committee recommended comprehensive reforms in agrarian system. However, mostly of its recommendations were rejected.
Since then, India’s land policy has undergo many changes like abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, redistribution of lands using land ceilings, bringing uncultivated land into cultivation while maintaining the land revenue administration simultaneously.

Moreover, the Constitution of India also provided Article 39 which says that the  ownership and control of material resources of the country should be distributed as best to serve the common good and no concentration of wealth in hands of few that may result detrimental. The Constitution also made land a state subject. However, the central government played a significant advisory role and also provide finances to states.

The focus and emphasis on land policy has changed from last 50 years but some of the issues remain persistent. India’s economy is significantly based on agriculture. Hence, the government should make some policies to improve agrarian structure.