Recently, Revenue Minister R. Ashok gave a press statement that the State Government is contemplating amending the Inams Abolition Act to allow farmers to apply for claim of occupancy rights, as many farmers had not filed applications seeking occupancy rights under the Act. This is a facsimile press statement of Kagodu Thimmappa, former Revenue Minister released in January 2018. Both the Ministers claimed in their press statements that farmers had not filed an application seeking occupancy rights. Despite giving ample opportunity and time, why farmers are not coming forward to claim occupancy rights of their Inam land is intriguing.
The Genesis
The feudal title of Inamdar was prevalent during the British rule, as well as during the rule of Marathas Peshwas and other Hindu and Mohammedan rulers. The appellative was conferred to people who received land or land revenue as Inam or gift for their exceptional service to the ruler of the State. The temple managers, shanbhogues, revenue record keepers were some of the beneficiaries. There were different types of Inams, service Inam, enfranchised Inam, Major Inam, Minor Inam, Darmila Inam, Village artisan Inam, the Dasabandham Inam and the whole Inam.
Sir Thomas Munro as a colonial administrator and Governor of Madras Presidency introduced the Ryotwari system of land revenue during the year 1820. The system allowed the government to deal directly with the cultivator (‘ryot’) for revenue collection and gave the farmer freedom to sell or acquire new land for cultivation.
Several Laws during the colonial rule were enacted which defined the rights and obligations of Inamdar and their territories. The Madras Inams Act VIII of 1869 is one of them. However, after the independence of India, several acts were enacted in different States to abolish the Inamadari system. The Karnataka (Religious & Charitable Institutions) Inams Abolition Act, 1955, The Karnataka (Sandur area) Inams abolition Act 1976, The Karnataka Certain Inams Abolition Act, 1977 were enacted in these lines.
Why an Amendment?
The press statement of Kagodu Thimmappa, former Revenue Minister released during January 2018 claimed that more than three lakh people in Karnataka, particularly in Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Belagavi districts, have not filed applications seeking occupancy rights under the Inams Abolition Act. Current Revenue Minister R. Ashok in his recent press statement informed that over 70,000 acres of land come under the Inam land category in the State, and many farmers have not filed applications seeking occupancy rights under the Act. The amendment to the Act will provide an opportunity for the farmers to seek occupancy rights over the inam lands. According to the Minister, 500 – 1000 acres of land were given as Inam (prize) during British rule, and farmers were cultivating that land for many years.
The Karnataka Certain Inams Abolition Act, 1977 provided for registration as an Occupant by the individuals or Institution of religious worship for its occupation rights by making an application to the tribunal constituted under the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961. The application is decided by the Tahsildar after issuing individual notices to the concerned inamdars and after verification and enquiry. The deadline as per the Act was March 31, 1991. However, the successive Governments extended the last date through an amendment to the Act.
Why dilly-dally by the Inamdars?
The Government is claiming that lack of awareness among farmers who are inamdars in a majority of the cases is the reason for non-registration of inam land in their favour. As per the provisions of the Act, the farmers or the inamdars are required to pay fees for registration of the land and obtaining the occupancy rights. These fees were effective from June 5, 1978. The State Government now should come out with clear guidelines concerning the fixation of fees for registration of the Inam land. These farmers are hitherto enjoying the land without paying any property tax and once it is registered in their name they will be required to pay the necessary property tax as applicable in addition to paying fees for obtaining occupancy rights under the Act. These factors may be limiting the farmers from coming forward to register the land in their favour.
The farmers are the backbone of our Country. The condition of farmers in the State as well as in the Country is very critical. We are hearing suicide news of farmers on regular basis. Their financial condition is pushing them to take such a drastic step. The farmers do not get a fair price for their produce. In most places, the middlemen exploit them and take away their major share.
In the absence of land records in respect of Inam land, Banks are refusing loan facilities to these farmers who are cultivating the land over the years. The State Government should come out with an encouraging scheme for the farmers without financial burden on them.
There is a word of caution too for the State Government. In November 2013, the Bangalore Urban district administration had recovered 501 acre and five guntas of government land at Chalamakunte village in Jala hobli of Yelahanka taluk, allegedly allotted to individuals illegally as inam land. An Inamdar is not permitted to sell the inam land without prior permission from the competent authority. However, there are reports that some people bought the inam land, tampering with Government records. The concerned authorities in the State Government should adopt a foolproof system and ensure that the land mafia is shooed away so that genuine persons are benefitted.
By Krishnadas Rai
