7 hectare ceiling for 'quality' agri land in Punjab: Minister

Chandigarh, Mar 14 (UNI) A person can possess up to seven hectares of agricultural land, provided it is under assured irrigation and capable of yielding at least two crops in a year, Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar told the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today.

In a written reply to Capt Balbir Singh Baath (SAD), the Minister said that as per the Punjab Land Reforms Act, 'person' includes a company, family, association or any other body of individuals, whether incorporated or not.

The ceiling for land under assured irrigation but capable of yielding onl one crop had been fixed at 11 hectares and it was 22.5 hectares for 'barani' (unfertile) land, he added.

Regarding land of other classes including 'banjar' (unfertile) land, the minister said the area would be determined according to the prescribed scale with reference to intensity of irrigation, productivity and soil classification. However under this category the ceiling limit should not exceed 21.8 hectares, he added.

The Minister pointed out that where the number of members of a family exceeds five, the permissible area shall be increased by one-fifth of the area for each member in excess of five but upto eight members.

UNI HS MMS RL RS1739