What was a key equity-based goal of land reforms implemented after independence?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Abolition of intermediaries and land ceiling laws.
After independence, a major equity-based goal of land reforms in India was the abolition of intermediaries such as zamindars and the implementation of land ceiling laws.
These reforms aimed to reduce social and economic inequality in rural areas. Before independence, large landowners controlled huge areas of land, while poor farmers and tenants had very limited rights. The government introduced land ceiling laws to fix the maximum amount of land a person could own and redistribute surplus land to landless farmers. Abolishing intermediaries helped cultivators get direct ownership rights over the land they tilled. These measures improved social justice, reduced exploitation of tenants, and promoted a more equal distribution of agricultural resources, which was essential for rural development and economic fairness in the country.