With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?
A
The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
B
The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
C
It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
D
Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation
1. Land reforms in independent India encompassed various measures like abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, and imposition of land ceilings.
2. Statement (A) is generally incorrect. Early ceiling laws often focused on individual holdings, but later laws shifted towards family holdings to prevent evasion, making the statement's absolute claim inaccurate.
3. Statement (B) is correct. A major aim of land reforms, particularly land ceiling and redistribution, was social justice and equity by providing agricultural land to the landless and marginal farmers. While achieving this for *all* landless was difficult, it remained a central objective.
4. Statement (C) is incorrect. Land reforms themselves didn't necessarily lead to a shift towards cash crops; cropping patterns depend on various economic and agronomic factors.
5. Statement (D) is incorrect. Land reforms, specifically the ceiling laws, typically permitted several exemptions for specific types of land, such as plantations, orchards, land used for industrial purposes, or land held by religious/charitable institutions.