West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari Wednesday said his government will unveil a new industrial land policy before Durga Puja, introducing provisions for direct purchase, land pooling and a single-window clearance system as part of a broader push to attract investment and address one of the state’s most contentious barriers to industrialisation.
Speaking at a programme where land was handed over for 33 industrial projects, Adhikari said the draft policy had been prepared and would seek to simplify access to land while protecting the interests of both investors and landowners. State Industry Minister Tapas Roy said the projects together entail investments of around Rs 7,000 crore and have the potential to generate nearly 62,000 jobs.
New land roadmap
“We will introduce the new industrial policy before Durga Puja. It will have provisions for direct land purchase, land pooling and a single-window system,” Adhikari said. He added that the policy would also provide incentives linked to employment generation as the government sought to build what he described as a “business-friendly and industry-friendly environment”.
The new BJP government has been working on industrial and land policies since taking office earlier this year, with land availability and acquisition emerging as a central issue in its consultations with industry. Industry Minister Roy had said last month that the government would seek to balance the requirements of investors with the interests of landowners while drawing up the framework.
Adhikari said the government had learnt from Bengal’s past disputes over industrial land and would rely on mechanisms such as direct purchase and land pooling rather than coercive acquisition. “We are not going to misuse our power through the police. We are not here to disturb investors or farmers. We want to create an environment where both investors and landowners are protected,” he said.
Land has been at the centre of some of West Bengal’s most consequential political and industrial battles, particularly the Singur and Nandigram movements. The Chief Minister criticised both the erstwhile Left Front government and the previous Trinamool Congress administration over their approaches to industrialisation and land.
Adhikari cited a 2006 acquisition notice issued by the Haldia Development Authority as an example of what he described as a “very negative” approach to land policy. He also alleged that the Left Front’s 34-year rule had led to the closure or destruction of thousands of small and medium industries, including jute mills. These claims formed part of his political criticism of previous governments.
Reliance team to visit
The Chief Minister also said his government was in discussions with major business groups, including Reliance Industries, as it sought fresh investments across sectors. Adhikari met Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Anant Ambani in Mumbai earlier this week to discuss expansion of the group’s operations in West Bengal and possible new projects.
“I met Mukesh Ambani in Mumbai. He assured me that they will invest here in four-five sectors, and a company team will visit West Bengal next week,” Adhikari said.
The discussions with Reliance have included possible investments and expansion in sectors such as information technology, semiconductors and biogas. Reliance has already been allotted land at the Bengal Silicon Valley Hub in New Town for a data centre.
The government has also been reaching out to other large business groups as part of its investment drive. Adhikari referred to the proposed 2,000-bed hospital by the Adani Group in New Town as another indication of private-sector interest in the state.
Jobs at centre of push
Roy said the 33 projects receiving land Wednesday represent combined proposed investment of about Rs 7,000 crore and could create close to 62,000 employment opportunities. The land handover had been planned as part of the government’s effort to demonstrate that industrial projects could move from proposals to implementation.
Adhikari urged businesses to invest in the state, citing its land availability, workforce and road, rail and port connectivity as advantages. He also highlighted West Bengal’s location as a gateway to neighbouring countries and the wider eastern and northeastern markets.
The government’s new policy will now be closely watched for how it handles the politically sensitive question of assembling larger parcels of land for industry without returning to compulsory acquisition. Direct purchase and land pooling are expected to form the core of that approach, while the proposed single-window mechanism is intended to reduce the number of approvals and agencies investors have to navigate.