The Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act (MTALA), originally enacted in 1948 as the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act and later extended to Maharashtra, was introduced to reform exploitative agrarian relations and protect tenant farmers from unfair eviction and excessive rents. The law aimed to abolish the zamindari-like system, grant security of tenure to cultivators, and facilitate land-to-the-tiller reforms. Key provisions include:
Regulation of rent (capping it at a fraction of produce).
Tenancy rights for cultivators after continuous farming for a specified period.
Restrictions on land transfers to non-agriculturists without government approval.
Ceiling limits on landholdings to redistribute surplus land to landless farmers.
The Act played a crucial role in empowering tenant farmers, reducing feudal exploitation, and promoting equitable land distribution in Maharashtra.