The Hindu Business Line : Bengal allots more for land reforms dept

IN an effort to carry on the exercise of land reforms further, the West Bengal Government has now decided to buy land from owners whose holding is less than the fixed ceiling at market prices and then redistribute it among landless farmers.

This was announced by the West Bengal Finance Minister, Dr Asim Dasgupta, in his Budget speech on Monday. According to him, the State Government, on an average, is distributing 6,000 acres every year among landless farmers.

According to him, till February 15, 2005, the Government has distributed 10.95 lakh acres and more than 28 lakh farmers have been benefited.

Of them, 56 per cent belonged to the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe.

"I propose that if a person who owns land within the ceiling is willing to sell a part of his land to the Government at the market rate, then the Government will purchase such land for distribution, free-of-cost, among landless agricultural labourers," he said.

Moreover, the State Government would also provide irrigation facilities, improved seeds and fertilisers free-of-cost. It is contemplating building a small house for the labourers on the land too.

The Minister suggested that the farmers could grow vegetables on these lands.

For the implementation of the whole project, Dr Dasgupta has proposed an additional plan outlay of Rs 20 crore for the land and land reforms department.

He felt that the move would strengthen the State's efforts to bring in economic development through the alternative route.

According to Dr Dasgupta, the objective behind the State's agricultural policy is to achieve self-sufficiency in foodgrains and it would be based on land reforms.

The policy also aims to bring about crop diversification so that the deficit in respect of important crops in West Bengal can be reduced.

"In addition, special importance would be attached to improvement in productivity and ensuring fair price for the farmers' produce, so that they can have the benefit of gainful employment generation on a sustainable basis," he said.

The same approach has been made for allied agricultural sectors such as fisheries, animal resources development and forests.

The Government is trying to improve the irrigation facilities. In fact, net irrigated area in West Bengal has increased 68 per cent in 2004-05 from 32 per cent in 1977-78.

Steps are also being taken for distribution of improved and better variety of seeds.

To improve productivity in the agricultural sector, the Minister proposed that there should be a balance in the use of different types of fertilisers.

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