Land Reforms, Agriculture and Jute in West Bengal — Practice

Question 1

What does Operation Barga stand for?

Accepted Answer

The recording of sharecroppers (bargadars) and securing their tenancy and share of the crop, begun in 1978.

Question 2

Which 1987 Act supports jute demand?

Accepted Answer

The Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987.

Question 3

State the purpose of the 1953 and 1955 West Bengal land Acts.

Accepted Answer

The Estates Acquisition Act of 1953 abolished zamindari and vested intermediaries' interests in the state. The Land Reforms Act of 1955 set ceilings on holdings and provided for recording rights.

Question 4

State the problems of the jute sector and one remedy for each.

Accepted Answer

Competition from synthetic packaging: mandatory-use rules and new jute products. Old mills: modernisation. Price swings: minimum support price and procurement. Low farm income and poor retting: training and better retting methods.

Question 5

What happened at Singur and what was its significance?

Accepted Answer

About a thousand acres were acquired for the Tata Nano plant from 2006. After an agitation, Tata moved the project to Gujarat in 2008, and the Supreme Court in 2016 held the acquisition invalid and ordered the land returned. It showed the conflict between farmland and industrial land needs.

Question 6

Assess land reform in West Bengal.

Accepted Answer

The state abolished zamindari in 1953, set ceilings in 1955 and ran Operation Barga from 1978, which secured sharecroppers' tenancy and share, and distributed ceiling-surplus land. Studies suggest gains in security and productivity, though economists debate the share due to reform. Limits include small, fragmented holdings, weaker gains for landless labour, outdated records and a slowdown after the 1990s. A way forward is updated records, voluntary consolidation and better credit and markets.

Question 7

How should land for industry be acquired in light of Singur and Nandigram?

Accepted Answer

With consent, fair compensation and rehabilitation, as the national law of 2013 requires in many cases, with a social impact assessment, and with a preference for unused or less fertile land, land banks and leasing. Early consultation with panchayats reduces conflict.

Question 8

Name two crops for which West Bengal is among the leading states.

Accepted Answer

Jute and rice, with potato also among the leading.

Practice — Land Reforms, Agriculture and Jute in West Bengal

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