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UP to expedite disposal of land ceiling cases

LUCKNOW: In a move aimed at benefiting the weaker sections, particularly the Dalits, the Mayawati Government has decided to expedite the disposal of over 2300 land ceiling cases pending in the Supreme Court, Allahabad High Court and in different revenue courts of Uttar Pradesh. The special drive for seeking the release of land from illegal possession would be launched soon. Many of these cases have been pending since 1952.

Over 50,000 acres of land in different parts of Uttar Pradesh have been acquired, mostly by the influential landed gentry – the erstwhile “zamindars” and “taluqdars” – and powerful politicians with the weaker sections being the deprived lot. While 1992 cases were pending in the Allahabad High Court, 129 were awaiting disposal in the Supreme Court. The number of land ceiling cases pending in the different revenue courts of the State was 236.

This decision was taken at a meeting of the high-powered panel for speedy disposal of cases on Saturday. The committee is headed by the Chairman of U.P. Advisory Council, Satish Chandra Mishra.

Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Shailesh Krishna said here on Sunday that the Government had decided to accord top priority to the issue, which has been hanging fire since the 1950s. No attention was paid to the matter by the previous Governments, said Mr. Krishna. The official of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat added that efforts would be made to seek the clubbing these cases.

Day-to-day hearing of the cases and constituting a team of lawyers were among the other measures proposed by the Government.

Besides, quick disposal of the cases would be sought by the Government. “The early disposal of cases would benefit the weaker sections”, he said.

Acquisition of around 12 acres of land is permissible under the ceiling laws. However, the reverse has happened over the years with thousand of acres of land in the rural areas being acquired by influential persons.

This trend has been quite visible in the Avadh region ( identified with Central Uttar Pradesh ) of the State, including Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Faizabad, Gonda, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri and Balrampur districts. The region is identified with the erstwhile principalities, the “zamindars” (the land owning class) and the “ taluqdars”.

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