A model (agricultural) land leasing act proposed by the NITI Aayog to simplify the leasing of farm land way back in 2016 is yet to find many takers across state governments, its additional secretary, Yaduvendra Mathur, said on Friday. According to him, a handful of states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have reacted positively to it. Rajasthan though is yet to extend the scope of the act to farmers.

“We came out with the proposed law in 2016 and it has been nearly two years now and most states are yet to get back to us so that we can finalise the draft,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar organised by The Indian Chamber of Commerce. “We have again written to Chief Secretaries of various states,” he added.

Under the leadership of agricultural economist Tajamul Haque, a review existing state tenancy laws were carried out in 2015. Steps were taken to prepare a model act that could make land leasing much easier. The panel headed by Haque submitted its report in 2016. The new law proposes to legalise the entire tenancy process for agricultural land at the national level. Once it is in place, even tenant cultivators will have access to institutional loans and insurance schemes for crops and other farming inputs.

“The idea is to improve farm incomes and ensure greater flow of credit,” Mathur said adding that “land remains a state subject”.

Related Topics