Farming is one of the primary sources as well as foundation of economic activities of India. A huge part of rural population of India which estimated around 65% depends on agriculture. It guarantees about 58% employment in the country. After 75 years of independence, there is still poverty in rural areas. Removal of poverty and raising the living standard of common man must be a prime concern for a welfare state in a democratic system. After independence, various Indian states initiated the process for land reforms through legislation. The Zamindari Abolition and Land Reform Act, 1950 was enacted to abolish the very exploitative system of Zamindari and introduce land reforms. Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code, 2006 was enacted repealing Zamindari Abolition and Land Reform Act, 1950to amalgamate, modify and improve legal framework regarding land occupancies and legal provisions related to land revenue applicable in Sate. Land reform is not a prime concern of this new Code. It does not address the issues related to the productivity of land, technological support to farmers, establishing necessary infrastructure such as construction of tanks, wells, water channels, supply of water for agricultural purposes, the protection of land from floods, levelling or terracing of land, erection of buildings for profitable use of the holding, employment of capital and labor. Three acts governing agricultural issues were passed by Parliament in 2020. First one of them is the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 (FAPAFS Act, 2020). The national legal framework for Contract Farming was created. The law-making body put its sincere efforts to regulate the relations between various stakeholders of contract farming. Apprehending future disputes, comprehensive mechanism for resolution of disputes also evolved under the above legal framework. The second one is the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 (FPTC Act, 2020). FPTC Act, 2020 protects the rights to choice and provided liberty to the farmers to sell their farm produce anywhere in the country without any legal hindrance. The Act aims to stimulate online marketing system for farmers in whole country. To regulate supply of essential agricultural produces and items, the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 was amended to empower Central Government to take appropriate legal recourse in interest of the nation and public during unexpected situations of the country. Unexpected situations were mentioned in the Act such as war, famine, natural calamities or unusual price rises in the market. Thus, the major issue of agricultural reforms was still untouched under these laws. Although, The Farm Laws Repeal Act 2021 has been passed, and all the above three Acts have been repealed. The impact of these agricultural laws on the tenurial rights has also to be analysed.
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