Tribunals for Land Reforms in Andhra Pradesh
| Author | N. Umapathy |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/j.1099-162X.1980.tb01051.x |
| Published date | 01 January 1980 |
| Date | 01 January 1980 |
Tribunals
for
Land
Reforms
in
Andhra
Pradesh
+
N.
UMAPATHY*
Land
reform is a purposeful re-planning of a land tenure system with the authority of the
Government. But it has been observed that the presence of strong political constraints
operating against the programme, the inadequate and softer provisions of the legislation
and the operation of strong vested interests, are all contributingto the general
ｦ｡ｩｬｵｾ･
of the
programme in India.
The
administrative machinery is also the target of attack. Therefore,
it is proposed to examine how far the latter criticism can be justified, by examining the
constitution and working of the Land Reforms Tribunals in Andhra Pradesh, from the
viewpoint of a student of Public Administration.
It
may be recalled that in India though land is a state subject, the Union Government has
been taking a serious interest and guiding the States in matters oflandreform. In pursuance
of the Preamble to the Constitution of India, and Article 39 (b) and (c) in Chapter IV
dealing with the Directive Principles of State Policy, the Andhra Pradesh Land Reforms
(Ceilings on Agricultural Holdings) Act, Act I of 1973, was enacted. The Act is based
largely on the recommendations of the Central Team on Land Reforms. IIt came into effect
from the first day of January, 1975. Section 4 of the Act is the operative and substantive
section.
The
entire exercise under the Act is to fix the ceiling area in each case as laid down
in this section.
For
this purpose, different extents of land of different classes have been
equated in terms of standard holdings (Section 5 (1) and (2)). The ceiling area in the case of
a family unit consisting of not more than five members is one standard holding," which
varies from 10 to S4acres dependingon the classification of the land. 3A familyconsisting of
more than Smembers is allowed an additional extentof
lIs
of the standard holding for each
additional member, which shall not, in the aggregate, exceed two standard holdings." After
fixation of such ceiling area in each case, the surplus land, if any, is taken over by the
Government on payment of compensation. Compensation is based on the amount of land
revenue charged and is is on a decreasing graduated scale.
In
order
to fixthe ceiling area in respect of each land-holder an obligation is cast on every
person to declare all land held by himeitheras owner or in any other capacity, as the ceiling
is to be applied to the totality of all such lands. And, in order to provide for an inquiry to
*Dr
Umapathy is Reader in Public Administration at Osmania University, Hyderabad.
The
author is greatly indebted to Professor K. Seshadri of the Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal
Nehru
University, New Delhi, and to Shri T. L. N. Rao, Chairman of Land Reforms Tribunal,
Hyderabad, for reviewing this paper.
'The
recommendations were made by Fakruddin Ali Ahmad Committee in 1971. These
recommendations adopted by the Congress Working Committee on 24.1.1971, were to be the basisof
Land
Reforms Legislation throughout India. Hence, the date 24th January, 1971, iscrucial under the
Act.
'Section 4 of the Act.
3Section 5, Table on Page 9 of the Act.
'Section 4 (2) of the Act.
37
To continue reading
Request your trial