KRISHAK SANGATHAN Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS matter as a public interest litigation (PIL) has as its subject consolidation of agricultural holdings, under the Bihar Consolidation of Holdings and Prevention of Fragmentation Act, 1956. After the entire process of consolidation of holdings was over and carried out in villages of Beerhia Ban and Pakri, under Bairia Gram Panchayat of Kateya Anchal, Gopalganj District, and holdings (chaks) had been allotted consequent upon promulgation and preparation of scheme, this notification cancels the scheme and its finality and the allotment of allotted chaks.

(2.) FOR the final order on this petition let the orders dated 9-8-2002, 12-8-2002, 13-8-2002 and 2-9-2002 be recorded seriatim chronologically.

(3.) 12-8-2002 Apparently time again is being sought from the Court to produce the record. It is not understood why time is being sought to find out the recorded power which brought the entire consolidation of holdings exercise, in Bihar, to a halt. At least this part of the record should be identified. Clearly the intention of the legislation of the Act known as the Bihar consolidation of Holdings and Prevention of Fragmentation Act, 1956 was to take agricultural Bihar into consolidation of holdings. This legislation was virtually a sequel to the abolition of Zamindari and was part of the silent revolution to bring an agrarian reform so that the agricultural holdings particularly of the marginal farmer becomes an economically viable holding. At the time when the Act was passed Bihar could take credit that its legislation was prior to other States. Today, as other States are winding up their consolidation of holding operations, in rural Bihar time has stood still and the legislation which was meant to aid land reforms has been halted. The Act is the law. It's rule in its operation cannot be halted.