Land Reforms in India: Unfinished Task

In India, over 70% of the population resides in rural areas with majority depending on land based activities for their livelihood. Studies have shown that owners of productive plots of land tend to be economically better off, and generally conform to at least a minimum standard of living. They also have greater bargaining power since they are in a position to control not only the direct benefits arising from their land, but also to share in the benefits derived by labourers who work on their land. This policy brief has been written with the aim of familiarizing people with the problems of the landless and the controversies, gaps and inconsistencies plaguing land reform in India today, focusing particularly on the redistributive structure of land reform.