Implementation of land reforms

♤ Abolition of intermediaries: By 1972, all the States had passed laws to abolish intermediaries. But there was no clear mention about just and equitable compensation. Nearly 57.7 lakh hectares were distributed to landless agriculturists after the successful completion of the Zamindari Abolition Act. Although, intermediaries were abolished, but the rent receiving class continued to exist.

♤ Tenancy reforms: The objective of providing security of tenure to all tenants met with only limited success. But there are success stories such as those of Kerala and West Bengal. The continued existence of large number of insecure tenants made the successful implementation of the second major objective of reducing rents to a

'fair' level, almost impossible to achieve. The objective of the acquisition of ownership rights by tenants too was achieved only partially.

♤ Land ceilings: The long delay, and the nature of the legislation, ensured that the ceilings would have a limited impact.

There are many factors responsible for the tardy progress but important among them are the lack of adequate direction and determination, lack of political will, absence of pressure from below, inadequate policy instrument, legal hurdles, absence of correct- up-dated land records and the lack of financial support.