The state assembly today amended the Andhra Pradesh Land Reforms (Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings) Act, 1973 through voice vote.

Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu later told journalists that the amended Act was aimed at improving the economic conditions of poor agriculturists and curbing the concentration of land in the hands of a few people. “The surplus land will be taken from the individuals and distributed among the landless poor,” he said.

He made similar announcements in the assembly too after the House passed the amendment Bill amid objections by the opposition benches.

Earlier, the government refused the opposition demand to refer the Bill to a select committee saying it was drafted after taking expert opinion and proper legal advice.

MIM, CPI and CPM members expressed the fear that the amended Act may be misused and may lead to higher corruption levels in the land administration. (J)