Class Notes 4 You

Land reform usually refers to redistribution of land from rich to poor. More broadly, it includes regulation of ownership, operation, leasing, sales and inheritance of land. Land reforms have been considered as important tools of socio-economic change in India. They constituted an important component of the strategy of agrarian reform that was designed to transform and modernise Indian agriculture. As land is state subject, the various reforms like abolition of zamindari, tenancy reforms and ceiling on size of landholdings and its distribution were implemented by the states which helped the marginal and small farmers in the following ways: • Tenancy reforms, in total, led to more than one crore tenants getting ownership right in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. • More than 10 lakh individuals became beneficiary (surplus land distributed to them) from the ceiling laws implemented in West Bengal. • The landlords had no personal interest in the lands they owned and also...

Property ownership by women Land and property are capital assets and women’s legal claim to land results into their control over resources, production process and income. This boosts their bargaining power and social status. However, societal, legal and institutional biases limit women’s ability to inherit assets and property. Despite constituting over 60% of agricultural labour force, women hold only 13.96% of agricultural land as per Agricultural Census 2015-16. Hence, new land reforms must focus on property and land ownership by women. Significance of Land ownership for women empowerment: Property ownership by women can transform their role and position in society in following ways: Economic self-reliance and Poverty alleviation: Land can be used for cultivation or monetised by sale. It can also be used as collateral to avail formal credit. This can help reduce feminisation of poverty. Also, ownership of property brings a sense of security, self-confidence and increases bargaining p...