AP Government Restores Land Rights to Over 97,000 Farmers, De-Notifies 2 Lakh Acres of ‘Dotted Lands’

In a move that brings relief to thousands of farmers, the government of Andhra Pradesh has taken the decision to permanently de-notify more than 2 lakh acres of British-era "dotted lands," thereby restoring full rights to the farmers who own these lands. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that this significant step enables farmers to exercise their rights to sell, mortgage, and carry out other customary activities associated with land ownership.

During the launch of the program in Kavali, Nellore district, Reddy declared that all dotted lands have been removed from the prohibited list, benefiting 97,471 farmer families across the state. This landmark decision grants full rights to farmers owning a total of 2,06,171 acres of dotted lands, which are valued at approximately Rs 20,000 crore.

Farmers faced significant hardships as they were previously restricted from selling or pledging these lands. Reddy highlighted that the government's initiative has permanently resolved the long-standing issue of dotted lands, which originated during the British era.

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"Dotted lands" refer to disputed lands wherein the government and individuals claim ownership rights. The practice of categorizing these lands as "dotted lands" dates back to the British era when dots were marked in the "pattadar" column of land ownership documents to indicate their disputed status. Despite cultivating these lands for decades, thousands of farmers were unable to sell or mortgage them for loans due to their disputed status on the title deeds.

Reddy emphasized that the farmer-friendly Andhra Pradesh government has been actively implementing various programs for the welfare of farmers. Notably, the government distributed 3 lakh acres as Recognition of Forest Rights (RoFR) pattas, providing land ownership title deeds to 1.28 lakh tribal families with an allocation of two acres each. Additionally, the government removed 35,000 conditional patta lands from the prohibited list, benefiting 22,000 farmer families, and distributed 31 lakh house site pattas to women.

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Reddy further highlighted that the government has undertaken a resurvey of lands after a century through the implementation of the YSR Jagananna Saswatha Bhu Hakku and the Bhu Raksha scheme. In the first phase, the government issued 7,92,238 permanent title deeds to farmers in 2,000 villages, and the second phase of the program is scheduled to commence next month.

The Andhra Pradesh government's decision to restore land rights to farmers marks a significant step towards empowering the farming community and ensuring their economic prosperity. By addressing historical issues and implementing comprehensive welfare programs, the government aims to uplift the agricultural sector and enhance the livelihoods of farmers across the state.

source-The Indian Express

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