Land Reforms History — Set 4

Correct Answer: B. Creating a national system of updated, transparent land records in rural areas

The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP, earlier known as NLRMP) was launched to computerize all land records, provide real-time land data online, and reduce land disputes. The programme has components including digitization of Record of Rights (ROR), survey/re-survey, computerization of sub-registrar offices, and integration of land records with registration. The goal is a single-window interface for land-related services. It is implemented by the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development.

Correct Answer: C. 2016

The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act 2016 significantly strengthened the original Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act 1988. A 'benami' transaction is one where property is held in the name of one person (benamidar) while actually owned/paid for by another (beneficial owner). The 2016 Act made benami transactions cognizable offences with imprisonment up to 7 years and fine up to 25% of property value. It also established Adjudicating Authority and Appellate Tribunal for adjudicating benami cases.

Correct Answer: B. Property held in the name of one person but owned/paid by another

A 'benami' transaction involves a property held in the name of one person (the benamidar) while the actual purchase consideration is paid by and benefit is enjoyed by another person (the beneficial owner). The word 'benami' means 'without name' in Urdu/Persian, referring to the anonymous nature of the actual ownership. Benami transactions have been widely used to circumvent land ceiling laws by distributing surplus land in the names of relatives or fictitious persons. The 2016 Act criminalizes such arrangements.

Correct Answer: C. Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development

The DILRMP is implemented by the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development. The programme was approved as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and later restructured under the Digital India umbrella. States receive central funding and technical support to computerize land records, digitize maps, and integrate registration with mutation processes. The programme aims to make land records accessible online and reduce corruption in land administration.

Correct Answer: B. Benefited large landowners more, increasing inequality

The Green Revolution (1960s–70s) introduced high-yielding varieties, irrigation, and chemical inputs that primarily benefited large landowners who had capital and irrigated land. This increased productivity but also increased inequality, as large farmers reaped most benefits and could afford to mechanize. Many large landowners evicted tenants to cultivate land directly to benefit from Green Revolution technology. Scholars like Francine Frankel argued the Green Revolution undermined tenancy reforms and widened rural class divisions.

Correct Answer: B. Effectively implemented tenancy reforms and distributed ceiling surplus

Kerala's land reform, particularly through the Kerala Land Reforms (Amendment) Act 1969 (Kurien Act), is considered the most successful in India because it effectively implemented tenancy reforms and distributed surplus ceiling land to tillers. Over 15 lakh acres were transferred to about 15 lakh households in Kerala. Political mobilization by Left parties (CPI and CPI-M) ensured actual implementation unlike many other states. Kerala became a model for showing that political will is the key determinant of land reform success.

Correct Answer: B. Registering sharecroppers to give them security of tenure

Operation Barga (1978) was West Bengal's initiative to register bargadars (sharecroppers) under the Left Front government to give them security of tenure and right to a higher share of produce (75% for the bargadar). By 1990, about 1.5 million sharecroppers were registered, making it one of the largest tenancy reform implementations in India. Registered bargadars could not be evicted and were entitled to inherit their tenancy rights. Studies by economists like Abhijit Banerjee showed Operation Barga significantly improved agricultural productivity.

Correct Answer: B. DILRMP

The National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) was merged into the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) in 2016 as part of the Digital India initiative. The NLRMP was originally launched in 2008 with the objective of modernizing land records. The renamed DILRMP has additional components like integration with Aadhaar and plans for transliteration of land records across states. The programme has multiple sub-components including computerization of ROR, digitization of cadastral maps, and modern record rooms.

Correct Answer: C. Tenancy reforms

Sub-tenancy (subletting of tenanted land) was addressed by tenancy reform laws. When original tenants sublet their holdings to sub-tenants, it created multiple layers of exploitation and weakened the connection between cultivator and land. Tenancy reform laws generally prohibited subletting or regulated it strictly. They also conferred ownership rights on occupancy tenants and provided security of tenure, making subletting less necessary or economically attractive for actual cultivators.

Correct Answer: B. Village self-sufficiency and ownership by cultivators

Gandhi's Hind Swaraj model emphasized village self-sufficiency, decentralized economy, and the principle that land belongs to the cultivators who work it. This philosophy inspired post-independence land reforms including the Bhoodan and Gramdan movements. Gandhi opposed both capitalist concentration of land and Soviet-style collectivization, favoring voluntary redistribution and cooperative village communities. His ideas influenced Vinoba Bhave, J.P. Narayan, and many Congress leaders who shaped India's land reform policy.