Which of the following was NOT a hurdle faced by the Indian government in implementing land reforms after the independence?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The abolition of intermediaries resulted in approximately 200 lakh tenants establishing direct contact with the government, freeing them from exploitation by the zamindars. Granting ownership to the tenants provided them with the incentive to increase agricultural output, contributing to growth in the sector. However, while the abolition of intermediaries aimed to achieve equity, it did not fully accomplish this goal.
In some areas, former zamindars found ways to retain ownership of large land areas by exploiting loopholes in the legislation. There were instances where tenants were evicted, and landowners claimed to be self-cultivators, asserting ownership of the land. Even when tillers obtained ownership, the poorest agricultural laborers, such as sharecroppers and landless laborers, did not benefit from the land reforms.
Land ceiling legislation also encountered obstacles. Wealthy landlords contested the legislation in courts, causing delays in its implementation. During this period, they registered their lands under the names of close relatives, thereby evading the legislation. The legislation itself had loopholes that were exploited by large landholders to retain their land holdings.