Achievement Of West Bengal {Land Reforms in West Bengal}

8/8/2019 Achievement Of West Bengal {Land Reforms in West Bengal}

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Land Reforms in West BengalLand Reforms in West Bengal

Geography and demography of the stateGeography and demography of the state

1.1. Situated in the Eastern Coast of India,Situated in the Eastern Coast of India,bordering the states of Bihar and Orissa andbordering the states of Bihar and Orissa and

the neighbouring country Bangladesh.the neighbouring country Bangladesh.2.2. Population density of 904 per squarePopulation density of 904 per square

kilometers as compared to the nationalkilometers as compared to the nationalaverage of 324.average of 324.

3.3. In 2001, 71.97 per cent of population wasIn 2001, 71.97 per cent of population wasin rural areas.in rural areas.

4.4. In 1999In 1999--2000, 65.9 per cent of household2000, 65.9 per cent of householdbudget was spent on rice consumption.budget was spent on rice consumption.


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5. In 19995. In 1999--2000, 90.62 per cent of total area2000, 90.62 per cent of total areafor cultivation of food grains was under rice.for cultivation of food grains was under rice.

6. Area under food grains in 19996. Area under food grains in 1999--2000 was2000 was4.1 times the area under non food grains4.1 times the area under non food grains(cash crops and vegetables)(cash crops and vegetables)

7. In 19997. In 1999--2000, 92.6 per cent of total food2000, 92.6 per cent of total foodgrains production was in the form of rice.grains production was in the form of rice.

8. In 2000, from administrative point of view8. In 2000, from administrative point of viewWest Bengal had 17 districts divided intoWest Bengal had 17 districts divided into

341 development blocks and 3248 cluster of341 development blocks and 3248 cluster ofvillages having 40,911 villages (calledvillages having 40,911 villages (calledMouzas).Mouzas).


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History of Land TenureHistory of Land Tenure West Bengal had a land tenure system knownWest Bengal had a land tenure system known

asas Permanent SettlementPermanent Settlementwhich promotedwhich promoted

absentee landlords calledabsentee landlords called ZamindarsZamindars The revenue collection pressure created aThe revenue collection pressure created a

layer of intermediarieslayer of intermediaries

The lowest strata of actual cultivators wereThe lowest strata of actual cultivators werethe sharecroppers, known mainly asthe sharecroppers, known mainly asBargadarsBargadars

After Independence in 1947, Zamindars wereAfter Independence in 1947, Zamindars were

replaced by new landlords calledreplaced by new landlords calledJotedarsJotedars


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The Jotedars, mainly rentiers from theThe Jotedars, mainly rentiers from the

erstwhile zamindars, again turned out toerstwhile zamindars, again turned out tobe not the actual cultivators in generalbe not the actual cultivators in generaland many of them were also absentees.and many of them were also absentees.

The rights of the Bargadars, in spite ofThe rights of the Bargadars, in spite ofvarious land reforms measures, remainedvarious land reforms measures, remainedinsecure till the late seventies. Most ofinsecure till the late seventies. Most ofthem were unrecorded, having nothem were unrecorded, having no

hereditary rights of cultivation. The sharehereditary rights of cultivation. The shareof crop violated legal stipulations moreof crop violated legal stipulations morethan often. Threat of eviction always keptthan often. Threat of eviction always keptthe sharecroppers on the defensive.the sharecroppers on the defensive.


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Leadership, Commitment andLeadership, Commitment and

Politics of ChangePolitics of Change The major movement of Sharecroppers toThe major movement of Sharecroppers to

ensure 2/3rds share of crop was backed byensure 2/3rds share of crop was backed by

the communists dominated Peasantsthe communists dominated PeasantsorganizationorganizationAll India Kisan Sabha (AIKS)All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS)

The Congress party, which had socialistThe Congress party, which had socialistleanings but basically a centreleanings but basically a centre--left party,left party,

ruled since independence and had theruled since independence and had thebacking of the jotedarsbacking of the jotedars

The First nonThe First non--congress communistscongress communistsdominated government was installed in 1967dominated government was installed in 1967


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For the first time, sharecroppers showed someFor the first time, sharecroppers showed somemilitancy in the rural areasmilitancy in the rural areas

The present Communist party of India (Marxist)The present Communist party of India (Marxist)led left front came to power in 1977 generalled left front came to power in 1977 generalelectionelection

In 1977, an amendment to land reforms act madeIn 1977, an amendment to land reforms act madecultivation in absentia an exclusionary clause forcultivation in absentia an exclusionary clause for

eviction of sharecroppers. Sharecroppers wereeviction of sharecroppers. Sharecroppers wereprovided heritable rights and the place of cropprovided heritable rights and the place of cropshare was shifted to sharecroppers homesteadshare was shifted to sharecroppers homesteadplot.plot.

In 1978, Registration of names of sharecroppersIn 1978, Registration of names of sharecroppersstarted in an unprecedented scale under thestarted in an unprecedented scale under thename Operation Barga along with redistributionname Operation Barga along with redistributionof ceilingof ceiling--surplus land.surplus land.


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Who are the major stakeholders in the LandWho are the major stakeholders in the Land

Reform process?Reform process? Sharecroppers were the direct beneficiary. BySharecroppers were the direct beneficiary. By

implication the poorer sections of peasantry,implication the poorer sections of peasantry,namely, marginal and small farmers, benefitednamely, marginal and small farmers, benefited

the mostthe mostAgricultural Labourers, the other major sectionAgricultural Labourers, the other major section

of the rural poor, were the other beneficiary.of the rural poor, were the other beneficiary.They benefited directly from redistribution ofThey benefited directly from redistribution of

confiscated land and indirectly from any wageconfiscated land and indirectly from any wagerate rise.rate rise.

The major section to lose was the absenteeThe major section to lose was the absenteelandlordslandlords


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The major issue in the political economy ofThe major issue in the political economy of

reform is whether the target group wasreform is whether the target group wascorrectly chosen?correctly chosen?

Data just before independence in 1945, didData just before independence in 1945, didshow that more than 1/3show that more than 1/3rdrd of operational areaof operational area

was under sharecropping.was under sharecropping. Data also show that percentage of families withData also show that percentage of families with

primary occupation as agricultural labourers hadprimary occupation as agricultural labourers hada continuous decline during the 15 years prior toa continuous decline during the 15 years prior toindependence in 1945.independence in 1945.

Thus, the decision to concentrate onThus, the decision to concentrate onsharecroppers during postsharecroppers during post--independence yearsindependence years

was politically correctwas politically correct


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Number of Bargadars RegisteredNumber of Bargadars Registered

YearYear Cumulative Nos. RegisteredCumulative Nos. Registered(Cumulative % to total)(Cumulative % to total)

Up to 1978Up to 1978

(Pre OB)(Pre OB)

0.25 Million (11%)0.25 Million (11%)

19811981 1.20 Million (52%)1.20 Million (52%)

19841984 1.31 Million (57%)1.31 Million (57%)

19911991 1.43 Million (62%)1.43 Million (62%)

19951995 1.47 Million (64%)1.47 Million (64%)


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Share of West Bengal in implementation ofShare of West Bengal in implementation ofdistribution of ceiling surplus land amongdistribution of ceiling surplus land amongall major rice producing states in India asall major rice producing states in India as

in March, 2001in March, 2001

StatesStates Per cent to National TotalPer cent to National TotalWest Bengal 47.14West Bengal 47.14

Andhra Pradesh 9.83Andhra Pradesh 9.83

Uttar Pradesh 5.40Uttar Pradesh 5.40Tamil Nadu 2.62Tamil Nadu 2.62


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Institutional Innovations andInstitutional Innovations and

ImplementationImplementation1. Bringing Bureaucracy close to the Villages1. Bringing Bureaucracy close to the Villages Replacement of traditional Revenue CourtReplacement of traditional Revenue Court

approach to register names ofapproach to register names of

sharecroppers by the Rural Camp Methodsharecroppers by the Rural Camp Method Operation Barga was carried out in sixOperation Barga was carried out in six

stagesstages--

a. Identification of villages with the help ofa. Identification of villages with the help ofsettlement records and peasantssettlement records and peasants

organisationsorganisations

b. Squads of Officers from Land Settlementb. Squads of Officers from Land Settlement

and Land Management Branch formedand Land Management Branch formed


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c. Dates of evening camps were settledc. Dates of evening camps were settled

d. Government Officials explained thed. Government Officials explained thebenefits of registration of namesbenefits of registration of names

e. Next day was reserved for claime. Next day was reserved for claim

verificationverification

f. Government officers recorded names off. Government officers recorded names of

the sharecroppers and gave themthe sharecroppers and gave them

certificates. They were entered into thecertificates. They were entered into the

village records later.village records later.

Thus, essentially, quasi property rights wereThus, essentially, quasi property rights were

Bestowed upon registered sharecroppersBestowed upon registered sharecroppers


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2.2. Delegation of financial and planningDelegation of financial and planning

activities to Local Elected Governmentactivities to Local Elected Government Local elected government have three tiers,Local elected government have three tiers,

known as Panchayatsknown as Panchayats

Top tier worked at the district level calledTop tier worked at the district level calledZilla ParishadsZilla Parishads

The next tier worked at the block levelThe next tier worked at the block levelcalledcalled Panchayat SamitisPanchayat Samitis

The lowest tier worked at the grassrootsThe lowest tier worked at the grassrootslevel of a cluster of small number oflevel of a cluster of small number ofvillages calledvillages called Gram Panchayats (GPs)Gram Panchayats (GPs)


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Quantifiable Tasks of PanchayatsQuantifiable Tasks of Panchayats

To carry out central government fundedTo carry out central government fundedschemes like Food for Work (aimed at creatingschemes like Food for Work (aimed at creatingoff season jobs) or creation of nonoff season jobs) or creation of non--farm ruralfarm ruralassets. The major success was in the creation ofassets. The major success was in the creation ofunsurfaced rural roads and clearing of pondsunsurfaced rural roads and clearing of ponds

and tanks.and tanks. Distribution of Minikits, a package of seeds,Distribution of Minikits, a package of seeds,

fertiliser and pesticidefertiliser and pesticide

Maintenance of tube wells for irrigation throughMaintenance of tube wells for irrigation through

the creation of beneficiaries committeesthe creation of beneficiaries committeesNonNon--quantifiable Tasks of Panchayatsquantifiable Tasks of Panchayats

Role of conflict resolution in case of disputesRole of conflict resolution in case of disputesregarding land, water and wages, as well asregarding land, water and wages, as well asother social roblems.other social roblems.


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Grass roots DemocracyGrass roots Democracy

From 1985 onwards, the panchayats enjoyedFrom 1985 onwards, the panchayats enjoyedfinancial devolution and planning responsibilities.financial devolution and planning responsibilities.

Operation Barga created more balance of powerOperation Barga created more balance of powerin the village democracyin the village democracy

All members of an electoral constituency areAll members of an electoral constituency aresupposed to meet twice every year insupposed to meet twice every year in GramGramSansadsSansads to discuss village level plans.to discuss village level plans.

In 2000In 2000, there were 3000, there were 3000 Gram SansadsGram Sansads ofof

which almost 90 per cent held meetings.which almost 90 per cent held meetings.

Percentage of electorates attending meeting hadPercentage of electorates attending meeting hadshown a downward trend from 30 percent inshown a downward trend from 30 percent in1996 to 5 percent in 2000.1996 to 5 percent in 2000.


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Impact of Land ReformsImpact of Land Reforms Impact on PovertyImpact on Poverty

0

10

20

3040

50

60

70

80

72-73 87-88 93-94 99-00

West Beng

nd


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Distribution of Operational HoldingsDistribution of Operational Holdings

YearYear West BengalWest Bengal IndiaIndia

Below 2Below 2

hectareshectares

Below 2Below 2

hectareshectaresNumberNumber 91.4%91.4% 78.2%78.2%

AreaArea 66.46%66.46% 32.4%32.4%


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Regression Results for Causality for cultivatorsRegression Results for Causality for cultivators

Having operational land below 2 hectaresHaving operational land below 2 hectares

1) Log(yield) =1) Log(yield) = --0.144 + 0.289** log(roads) +0.144 + 0.289** log(roads) +

0.359* log(labour) + 0.370*inter 25,0.359* log(labour) + 0.370*inter 25,

Adjusted RAdjusted R22 = 0.310= 0.310

2) Log(yield) = 0.142 + 0.313** log(roads) +2) Log(yield) = 0.142 + 0.313** log(roads) +

0.292** log(labour) + 0.370***inter 20,0.292** log(labour) + 0.370***inter 20,Adjusted RAdjusted R22 = 0.248= 0.248

NoteNote: *, **, and *** refer to significant at 1, 5 and: *, **, and *** refer to significant at 1, 5 and

10 per cent levels respectively10 per cent levels respectively


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Learning and ExperimentationLearning and Experimentation

The strengthsThe strengths

Strong Political will backed by historicalStrong Political will backed by historicalsupport to peasant struggles of the Leftsupport to peasant struggles of the Left

partiesparties Choice of the right target group, namelyChoice of the right target group, namely

small scale sharecropping tenants andsmall scale sharecropping tenants andlandless agricultural labourerslandless agricultural labourers

Quasi property rights bestowed on theQuasi property rights bestowed on thesharecroppers increasing their incentivessharecroppers increasing their incentives

Innovative implementation processInnovative implementation process


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Better balance of rural powerBetter balance of rural power

Active involvement of local level electedActive involvement of local level electedgovernments in developmental works, especiallygovernments in developmental works, especiallyconstruction of roads and excavation of canalsconstruction of roads and excavation of canalsand Tanksand Tanks

Conflict resolution by the local level electedConflict resolution by the local level electedrepresentativesrepresentatives

The weaknessesThe weaknesses

Land dispossession especially of theLand dispossession especially of theredistributed landholdersredistributed landholders

Insignificant rise of agricultural real wagesInsignificant rise of agricultural real wages


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The number of cultivators as a proportion ofThe number of cultivators as a proportion ofagricultural workers is going downagricultural workers is going down

Poor Attendance in the village level meetings ofPoor Attendance in the village level meetings ofthe panchayatsthe panchayats

Questions regarding fairness in electoral processQuestions regarding fairness in electoral process

Indifferent attitude towards financial devolutionsIndifferent attitude towards financial devolutionsand delegation of planning responsibilities toand delegation of planning responsibilities topanchayats by the state governmentpanchayats by the state government

Future DirectionsFuture Directions

To sustain fruits of land reform, diversification ofTo sustain fruits of land reform, diversification of

production base and increase in nonproduction base and increase in non--farm activitiesfarm activities

are a must. Along with that, serious thought to beare a must. Along with that, serious thought to be

given on strengthening of grass roots democracy.given on strengthening of grass roots democracy.

Achievement Of West Bengal {Land Reforms in West Bengal}

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