The government is ready with a policy to provide land to the landless and will circulate it to the state governments in another attempt by the UPA to boost its pro-poor record after notifying the food security law.
The policy seeks creating a large pool of land so that every family’s right to land is fully honoured, while suggesting a just and equitable method of allotting land on a priority basis to the marginalised, especially marginalised women. Additionally, provisions in the policy seek common property resources to supplement the needs of the poor and deprived.
The government is going to circulate the policy, which has been prepared by Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh and panchayati raj minister V. Kishore Chandra Deo, to the states on Thursday in its bid to fulfil the commitment given to the Ekta Parishad, which had called off its march to Delhi after signing an agreement with the Centre in Agra.
Meanwhile, the legislative proposal on the Homestead Bill is awaiting interministerial clearance.
Meanwhile, Mr Ramesh would soon be calling a conference of the revenue ministers of the states to discuss the policy.
The Cabinet will take a decision after the states give their nod to the policy as land is a state subject. As per the proposal, the Centre, through the Department of Land Resources, would monitor the implementation of the policy. Additionally, it proposes distribution of pattas under the Forest Rights Act in the name of the woman.