Land Reforms in India (Volume 4)

This volume critically reviews the implementation of land reforms legislation in the state of Karnataka. It presents the most recent data available in order to provide a holistic understanding of both the historical evolution and the current grassroots situation of land reforms of the state. Written by scholars, activists and administrators, the chapters in this book examine a wide range of issues. These include the continued relevance of land reforms in the context of agrarian reform, implementation of land ceilings and tenancy reforms in the state, the social costs and benefits of distributive land reforms, protecting tribal rights and forest lands, managing common property resources, and maintenance, updating and computerization of land records. The contributors address the central questions concerning the direction Karnataka should now take with regard to land reforms. The options considered include implementing the traditional concept of land reforms but with renewed vigour or maintaining the status quo and letting the existing laws continue in their own pace of implementation or liberalizing land reform laws in line with the country’s new economic policies. The contributors, however, agree that whichever policy option is adopted, political will and public awareness are the two most important factors which will determine the success of future efforts of land reforms in the context of the rapidly changing soio-economic scenario. The marked absence of jargon and a deliberate attempt at focussing attention on the ground realities imbibe the volume with tremendous practical significance. It is an essential reading not only for administrators, policy-makers and activists but also for scholars in the areas of agrarian studies, political economy, development studies, peasant studies, and policy studies.