CII to submit proposal on land acquisition to the new Govt

CII to submit proposal on land acquisition to the new Govt
The Hindu Business Line, April 8, 2009, Page 11

Task force analysing States models.

Our Bureau

The task force set up by the Confederation of Indian Industry on land acquisition is expected to submit its recommendations after the elections to the new Government, according to the CII President, Mr Venu Srinivasan.

“There should be transparency so far as land acquisition is concerned. States should have transparent land banks as it is difficult for industry to acquire large tracts of land,” Mr Srinivasan said at a CII press meet here on Tuesday.

The recommendations would be ready by July and would be submitted to the new Government after the elections, he said, refusing to divulge details about the proposed recommendations.

The CII was analysing the model of land acquisition followed by various States and would try to compile the best practices followed by some of these States in its recommendations, according to Mr Mukul Somany, Chairman, CII-Eastern Region. “We have analysed 2-3 States, Punjab being one of them, and we will look at including their land acquisition procedures in our recommendations,” he said.

The confederation would also encourage the role of private sector in agriculture in the form of contract farming. “There is nothing much happening in agriculture post reforms, we want to encourage private sector to come in for contract farming,” said Mr Srinivasan.

There was a need to create awareness among investors about the industrial policy in West Bengal in order to attract investments into the State. “West Bengal was the leader of industrial growth and manufacturing sector. However, it is the lack of awareness and some image related issues which is causing hindrance to the industrial development of the State,” Mr Srinivasan said.

The success stories of various industrial houses should be showcased to the investor community to clear perceptions about the State, Mr Somany added.