Land rights are important in order to reduce poverty as it will give access to the ownership of land. Land not only includes the surface of the land but also the resources that are connected with it. No access to land leads to more marginalisation of the already social and economic backward masses which further leads to injustice, discrimination and lack of basic facilities. The concept of socialism dies and capitalism takes place due to the exploitation of the people especially the poor.
Absence of land rights not only leads to eviction but also the displacement of the poor in urban areas. The need for land rights to be considered as human rights is rapidly growing. Right to the property becomes a legal right after the 44th Amendment of the constitution.
Following are the land laws which operate on the state and central level-
- Maharashtra Land Revenue Code,1966
- Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999
- Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013
The main objective of the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999 is to make provisions for entries and eviction. To encourage new constructions by making uniform fair rents on the investment made. It applies to premises let for the purpose of residence, education, business and storage.
The main objective of the Land, Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act,2013 is to provide fair compensation to landholders, to maintain transparency in the acquisition of land and providing compensation, to make rehabilitation of affected people wherever necessary, to settle disputes in the interest of the farmers.