Hyderabad: In an apparent response to naxalites' demand for distribution of land to the poor, Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to alienate about one-lakh acres in favour of the landless poor across the State.

The process for identification of surplus Government lands would soon be set in motion with the constitution of a commission, official sources said in Hyderabad today (Nov 9, 2004).

The issue of land reforms was on top on the agenda of the first-ever direct talks between Maoists and the Government held last month. The representatives of Communist Party of India (Maoist) and Janasakthi organisations had demanded immediate distribution of lands among the poor.

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy directed the revenue department to commence the process of identifying the surplus lands and complete the distribution of one lakh acres at one go before the start of the second round of parleys with naxalites, sources said.

The naxalite organisations had demanded an amendment to the Land Ceiling Act to lower the ceiling with respect to both wet and dry agricultural lands so that more land could be made available to the poor.

"On the extent of surplus land available in the State, there is a wide variation in the figures. The official records are not clear on this matter. The proposed Commission will look into this issue and identify the exact extent of land for the purpose of distribution among the landless poor," sources said.