Consider the following statements regarding the land ceiling. Regardi...
- Land ceiling was another policy to promote equity in the agricultural sector.
- This means fixing the maximum size of land which could be owned by an individual.
- The purpose of the land ceiling was to reduce the concentration of land ownership in a few hands.
- The abolition of intermediaries meant that some 200 lakh tenants came into direct contact with the government — they were thus freed from being exploited by the zamindars.
- The ownership conferred on tenants gave them the incentive to increase output and this contributed to growth in agriculture.
However, the goal of equity was not fully served by abolition of intermediaries.
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Consider the following statements regarding the land ceiling. Regardi...
Statement 1: This means fixing the minimum size of land which could be owned by an individual.
The first statement is incorrect. The land ceiling refers to the maximum size of land that an individual or entity can own, not the minimum size. The purpose of land ceiling is to prevent excessive land concentration in the hands of a few individuals or entities, thereby promoting equitable distribution of land resources.
Statement 2: The purpose of land ceiling was to reduce the concentration of land ownership in a few hands.
The second statement is correct. The primary objective of land ceiling laws is to reduce the concentration of land ownership in a few hands. In many countries, including India, land has historically been concentrated in the hands of a few wealthy landowners, leading to socio-economic inequalities. Land ceiling laws aim to address this issue by limiting the maximum land holdings of individuals or entities, thereby promoting more equitable distribution of land resources.
Statement 3: The ownership conferred on tenants gave them the incentive to increase output and this contributed to growth in agriculture.
The third statement is incorrect. While the ownership conferred on tenants may provide them with a sense of security and stability, it does not necessarily guarantee an incentive to increase output or contribute to growth in agriculture. The productivity and growth in agriculture depend on various factors such as access to credit, irrigation facilities, market linkages, technology adoption, and the overall agricultural policy environment. Ownership alone may not be sufficient to drive agricultural growth.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, statement 1 is incorrect as land ceiling refers to the maximum size of land that an individual or entity can own, not the minimum. Statement 2 is correct as the purpose of land ceiling is to reduce the concentration of land ownership in a few hands. Statement 3 is incorrect as ownership alone does not guarantee an incentive to increase output or contribute to agricultural growth. Therefore, the correct answer is option B, which includes statements 2 and 3 only.
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