Land ceiling acts represent the redistributive phase of land reforms in India, aiming to allocate surplus agricultural holdings to landless peasants.
1. Agricultural Land Ceilings
- The Family Unit Concept: Ceilings are generally fixed based on a family unit (defined as husband, wife, and minor children). Additional allowances are granted for large families or major sons.
- Land Classification: Ceiling limits vary according to land quality:
- Irrigated Land: Double-cropped lands have the lowest ceiling limits (e.g., 10 to 18 acres).
- Dry Land: Unirrigated/waste lands have much higher limits (e.g., 50 to 54 acres).
- Vesting of Surplus Land: Any land held in excess of the ceiling limit must be declared as surplus land, which vests automatically in the State Government after paying statutory compensation. The state subsequently distributes this land to landless SC/ST agricultural laborers.
2. Urban Land Ceiling Act (ULCRA, 1976)
The Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 was enacted to prevent concentration of urban land and facilitate affordable housing. However, it led to structural bottlenecks and litigation, and was subsequently repealed in 1999 by the central government, with states adopting the repeal progressively.