The land revenue system in Uttar Pradesh has its roots in the ancient and medieval periods when rulers derived a significant portion of their income from land taxes. The system underwent various changes under different rulers, including the Mughals and the British. The British introduced the Zamindari system, where intermediaries collected revenue from farmers and passed a portion to the government.
Post-Independence Reforms
After India gained independence, the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, was enacted to abolish the Zamindari system and establish a direct relationship between the government and the cultivator. This act aimed to achieve the following objectives:
Land redistribution: Land was redistributed among landless farmers and tenants.
Abolition of intermediaries: The Zamindars and other intermediaries were removed, eliminating their exploitative practices.
Security of tenure: Farmers were granted secure rights over their land, encouraging them to invest in its development.
Revenue collection: The government became the direct collector of land revenue from farmers.
Key Features of the Current System
The land revenue system in Uttar Pradesh is primarily governed by the Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Act, 1901, and the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950. The key features of the current system include:
Land ownership: The state government is the ultimate owner of all land, but farmers have inheritable rights over their holdings.
Land records: The state maintains detailed land records, including ownership details, land use, and revenue assessments. These records are crucial for land transactions and dispute resolution.
Revenue assessment: Land revenue is assessed based on factors like land quality, irrigation facilities, and cropping patterns. The revenue rates are revised periodically.
Revenue collection: Land revenue is collected in two installments, Kharif and Rabi, corresponding to the agricultural seasons.
Land reforms: The government continues to implement land reforms to address issues like land fragmentation, tenancy rights, and land ceiling.
Land Records Modernization
The Uttar Pradesh government has undertaken initiatives to modernize land records management. The Bhulekh portal provides online access to land records, enabling citizens to view and download copies of their land documents. This initiative has improved transparency and reduced the scope for corruption.
Challenges and Issues
Despite the reforms, the land revenue system in Uttar Pradesh faces several challenges:
Land disputes: Land disputes are common due to unclear boundaries, inheritance issues, and encroachment.
Benami transactions: Benami transactions, where land is held in the name of a fictitious person, pose a challenge to land administration.
Land acquisition: Land acquisition for infrastructure projects often leads to conflicts between the government and landowners.
Digital divide: While the Bhulekh portal has improved access to land records, a significant portion of the population still lacks digital literacy and access to technology.
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