Bihar govt for 50% ceiling surplus land to women

The Bihar government considers a proposal to give ownership rights to 50 per cent of the ceiling surplus land to be distributed by it among the landless to women.

"Ownership right to land will be another significant step towards empowerment of women, particularly the poor among them," Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi told PTI.

This would be limited to land acquired by the government in excess of the ceiling limit, those received through 'bhoodan' (donation), and homestead land to be distributed among those having none, Modi said.

Hitherto, the government policy was

to give the title of these lands only to the male members of a family. The revenue and land reforms department has finalised a proposal in this regard and is in the process of forwarding it to the cabinet for approval.

The government has invited tenders for purchase of bicycles for girl students of class IX and X and steps are afoot for providing Rs 750 every year to those studying in class VI and VII.

After coming to power in November 2005, the state's NDA government led by Nitish Kumar has introduced 50 per cent reservation for women at all levels in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.