A.P. Land Reforms (Ceiling on Land Holdings) Act, 1973
In response to the poor implementation of previous land reforms, the Central Government convened a Chief Ministers’ Conference in September 1970, which led to the formulation of new guidelines for land ceiling laws. Based on these guidelines, the A.P. Legislative Assembly and Council approved a new ceiling law in September 1972, which received Presidential approval in January 1973.
The A.P. Land Reforms (Ceiling on Land Holdings) Act, 1973 was included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution through the 39th Amendment in 1974, thereby exempting it from judicial review. The act officially came into effect on January 1, 1975. This new legislation aimed to address the shortcomings of the previous ceiling act by reducing the ceiling limits, improving enforcement mechanisms, and ensuring that surplus land was effectively redistributed to the landless and marginal farmers
