The march of around 50,000 landless and homeless people towards Delhi came to a halt in Agra on Thursday after Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh met the Satyagrahis and assured them that the Government will work towards a National Land Reforms Policy.

Jairam Ramesh signed an agreement on behalf of the Central Government accepting the demands made by the Satyagrahis led by social activist P.V. Rajagopal.

According to the agreement, the Government promises to begin talks with State Governments regarding a National Land Reforms Policy, since land is constitutionally a State subject.

Draft policy

The agreement between the Government and Jan Satyagrah states that a draft policy will be written and put out for public debate and discussions within 4-6 months.

The Minister said: “We would request the Ekta Parishad to continue putting pressure not only on the Centre but also on the State Governments.’’

In response to the Jan Satyagrah, the Government has also promised that the provision of agricultural land for landless poor and homestead rights for homeless families will get statutory backing, such as MGNREGA and FRA, guaranteeing 10 cents or one-tenth of an acre of homestead to every landless and shelterless rural household.

Indira Awas Yojana scheme

The statement adds that the Ministry of Rural Development will propose to double the unit cost given to rural poor for construction of homes under the Indira Awas Yojana. This will increase the unit cost given to rural households for procuring homestead to Rs 20,000 up from Rs 10,000 currently.

However, a few months ago the Ministry's proposal to increase the total unit cost under the scheme to Rs 75,000 from Rs 45,000 currently, had hit a wall with the Finance Ministry rejecting the proposal. Jairam Ramesh said the proposal will go to the Cabinet for approval.

Among other agreements are setting up of fast track land tribunals, effective implementation of PESA Act, and effective implementation of various laws for protecting the land rights of dalits, adivasis and other marginalised sections of the society.

Re-survey and verification of Bhoodan land, and its recovery from encroachers will be one of the issues that would be discussed as well.

The Minister also announced the plans to set up a Task Force on Land Reforms, to be headed by the Rural Development Minister, comprising 11 members, of which 4-5 would be experts on land reforms. Other members would be the Minister of Panchayati Raj and the Minister of Tribal Affairs.

However, Rajagopal said that if there was no action or progress on the matter within six months, then the march to Delhi will resume once more.

“I have no doubts on the intentions of the Government and I am sure we would not need to restart the rally after six months...but if nothing happens we’ll start the march to Delhi once again.’’

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