NITI forms expert panel on land lease; extends agri task force

NEW DELHI: Government think-tank NITI Aayog has constituted an expert group on land leasing, headed by former CACP chairman T Haque, besides extending the task force on agriculture development up to October, 2015.

"In pursuance to decision taken in the meeting held under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, on August 24, 2015, an expert committee and leasing is constituted under the chairmanship of T Haque," as per two separate orders released by the Agriculture Division of the National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.

The 10 member committee will have representation from Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan, Meghalaya and Joint Secretary H S Meena from the Department of Land Resources.

While, J P Mishra, Adviser (Agriculture) in NITI Aayog will be the member secretary.

The terms of the reference of the expert committee are to review the existing agricultural tenancy laws of states, including hilly states and schedule areas, to examine the distinctive features of land system in erstwhile zamindari, ryotwari and mahalwari areas.

Besides, it would suggest appropriate amendments, keeping in view the need to legalise and liberalise land leasing for much needed agricultural efficiency, equity, occupational diversification, and rapid rural transformation.

It will also prepare a model agricultural land leasing act in consultation with states.

The task force on agriculture, headed by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya, was earlier expected to finalise its report by August 31.

It was constituted on March 16, 2015.

The task force is to frame policy recommendations in areas such as land, national common market, crop prices, fertiliser use, seeds and genetically modified (GM) technology, and agrarian distress.