PATNA, Feb. 16 -- Asserting land issues as a major source of violence, deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who holds the revenue and land reforms portfolio, said that about 800 to 1,000 lives are lost every year in Bihar due to disputes over land, a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched the issue remains in rural and semi-urban areas.

"The disputes over land records affect social peace," Sinha said, adding that the department has adopted the slogan: "Clear land entitlement brings everlasting peace, happiness and prosperity." He said this while replying to the debate on the annual budgetary demand of his departments in the legislative council on Monday.

The Deputy CM highlighted a sharp rise in revenue collection, which jumped fro...