Third phase of land distribution in AP tomorrow

Hyderabad, Nov 18 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Government would distribute 1,11,380 acres of land to the poor in the third phase of land distribution in the state tomorrow, coinciding with the birthday of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Andhra Pradesh stood first in the country in bringing land reforms in 1972 which facilitated imposition of ceiling on individual land holdings and distribution of surplus land among the landless poor, an official release here today.

In the first phase on January 26, 2005, 1.55 lakh acre were distributed and in the second phase in August, 2005 another 1.70 lakh acre were doled out to the poor.

The State Government identified the assigned lands, which were never cultivated due to geographical problems and took up a Rs 500 crore programme-- INDIRA PRABHA to convert all assigned lands into cultivable lands.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was funding the programme and nearly three lakh acres of assigned lands were, making use of INDIRA PRABHA programme.

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