Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, on Monday refuted the contention of Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, regarding the government’s lack of interest in the scheme of distributing two acres of land free to landless poor agriculturists.
Recalling that the scheme was launched in Tiruvallur district in September 2006, Mr. Karunanidhi, in a statement, said that as of now, 2,10,747 acres were distributed to 1,75,798 persons, many of whom were Dalits.
He pointed out that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam goverrnment had brought in the Tamil Nadu Land Reforms (Reduction of Ceiling on Land) Act, 1970, bringing down the ceiling for a family to 15 standard acres [from 30 acres]. As a result, 1,78,880 acres were declared surplus and distributed to 1,37,236 eligible landless farmers, of whom 61,985 persons were Dalits and 204 Tribes.
