State Consultation on Land Reforms Policy
08th September 2013, Gandhi Bhavan , Bhopal.
Invitation Letter
Respected Palash Biwas ji,
The National Land Reforms Task Force (NLRTF) was formed under the Ministry of Rural Development Government of India in October 2012 after the government signed a contract with Jansatyaghra 2012 led by Ekta Parishad. This civil society movement succeeded in pressuring the government to seriously and realistically take up the work of formulating a 'land reforms policy' at the national level. Subsequently the NLRTF took up the task of formulating this policy with the involvement of civil society members within the Task Force.
A draft of this land reforms policy is now on government websites inviting comments, suggestions, amendments and feedback before it gets a final shape. So far civil society organisations in Andhra Pradesh,Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand & Maharashta have responded with positive feedback and amendment suggestions. It is in this context that we propose to call consultations of civil society members in Bhopal to understand and formulate a collective response to the policy. As a part of the Task Force work 'Advisories' were issued to States through the MoRD that the State Governments have not taken any serious steps to implement.
Objective of the consultation:
1. To understand the major aspects of the proposed policy, its implications especially in context of other existing and proposed laws like the Forest Rights Act, PESA, Land Acquisition Bill, Food Security Bill etc.
2. To formulate a response to the Policy that would be posted on the government's website.
3. To formulate a joint civil society action plan for creating pressure for the implementation of the provisions of the policy.
4. Formation of State Land Rights Commission which could be responsible for:
A. To Review the progress made by the State Governments on realisation of land rights on an annual basis
B. Furnish an Annual Report thereon before the Legislative Assembly of the State.
C. Advise the appropriate State Governments on all land rights, land reforms and associated policy issues emerging from the State to the appropriate State Government.
D. The commission shall be constituted of a good proportion of women (at least 50%), and with representatives from the civil society. With regards to monitoring, state level civil society, a Land Watch Committee should be set up.
E. Consider the possibility of creating a Land Reforms Unit within every State Academy of Administration.
F. Consider the nature of the mechanism under the Department of Land Resources to monitor the implementation of this policy at the State level.
G. Consider proposing a mechanism that will ensure the implementation of this policy on issues related to the Forest Rights Act 2006 and is in consonance with the structure given under the Forest Rights Act 2006.
Outcomes of the consultation
1. The consultation would provide a platform to around 50 CSOs to voice their aspirations, share their experiences, ideas; thoughts and perspectives which would lead to collective visioning and lead to strategic action plans in the state.
2. Facilitate draft State level Land Reform Policy.
3. Facilitate in the formation of State level Land reform commission.
Proposed Schedule
Time | Session |
| 10.00-10.30 AM | Registration & Tea |
| 10.30-10.45 AM | Welcome address and setting the context |
| 10.45-11.00 AM | Key Note Address |
| 11.00 AM -12.00 | Presentation of the policy |
| 12.00-01.00 PM | Open Discussions |
| 1.00-2.00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 2.00-3.00 PM | Discussion amongst the CSO representatives on collective action and common action plan. |
| 3.00– 3.50 PM | Sharing and Final Suggestions/action plan |
| 3.50-4.00 PM | Vote of Thanks |
please confirm your participation by mail or phone.
with regards
Ekta Parishad, Ekta Parishad,
Gandhi Bhavan, 2/3A,2nd Floor,
Shyamla Hills,Bhopal, JangpuraAblock,
Madhya Pradesh. New Delhi - 14
Mob:9755988707 Mo:9971964569
0755- 4223821 011-24373998/9
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