The State Government has decided to implement geo-tagging of lands distributed to poor farmers of Scheduled Castes this year in view of complaints that either the possession of lands was not given or they were not cultivated.
The ambitious programme of the government to distribute three acres of land to SCs ran into problems recently as a number of farmers did not get their possession in a couple of villages of Vikarabad district after their names were cleared.
As a result, they could not cultivate, which rendered the holdings fallow. A communication in this regard was addressed to the Collector.
Therefore, it was decided to implement geo-tagging of lands and beneficiaries to know the status of distributed plots. The official admitted that some lands were not cultivated even though pattas and passbooks of holdings were given.
Major problem
Another major problem identified was the inability of government to stick to the three acre norm of distribution as the land that was purchased for the purpose may not be strictly in multiples of three acres. A seven acre land that might have been bought must be distributed between three persons because the ceiling per head was only three acres. In that case, there will be at least one person who will get less than three acres.
The aggrieved persons might be given the balance of land elsewhere in another instalment which was, however, not viable.
Barring about 200 acres of government land which was distributed initially in Karimnagar, the government has so far distributed only private land on purchase.
About 10,700 acres of land was distributed so far to 4,000 beneficiaries, spending Rs 446 crore.
On the positive side, the scheme has picked up in recent months as bifurcation of districts has given ample time to Collectors and Joint Collectors to inspect the land available for sale and finalise rates.
As much as 905 acres was purchased in April-May.
The land distribution was mostly a tough job for officials at gram sabhas in villages, presided by Joint Collectors, as angry scenes were witnessed from those who did not benefit.
The officials had to calm them down with some assurances.