DISTRIBUTION OF CEILING SURPLUS LAND

With thw introduction of land ceiling legislation in 1972,ceiling on land holdings was introduced in 19 States and 3 Union Territories.the 1972 national guidelines recommended ceiling limits ranging from 10-18 acres for irrigated land with two crops,27 acres for irrigated land with one crop and 54 acres for dry land.

In pursuance of point No. 5A of the 20-Point Programme of the Govt. of India, the Land Reforms Division fixes annual targets for actual distribution of ceiling surplus land and brings out Quarterly Progress Report on the basis of figures received from States/UTs. The Govt. of India have issued Guidelines based on the recommendations of the Chief Ministers’ Conference held in 1972 for distribution of ceiling surplus land to the rural poor including SCs/STs. The State Governments/UT Administration are also distributing Govt. Wastelands and Bhoodan Lands to the rural poor.

As a result of implementation of ceiling laws,since inception till March,2006,the total quantum of land declared surplus in the country was 68.38 lakh acres, of which about 59.80 lakh acres have been taken possession of and 49.40 lakh acres distributed to 53.50 lakh beneficiaries, of whom 39 percent belong to Scheduled Castes and 16 percent to Scheduled Tribes.

Under the 20 point programme of the Goverment of India,the Land Reforms Division fixes annual targets each year for distribution of ceiling surplus land in consultation with States on the basis of availability free from all encumbrances.