Gujarat land acquisition model best: report

New Delhi: A commerce and industry ministry sponsored report showcased the Gujarat model of land acquisition as the best practice, which can be emulated by other states with some modifications, to improve the business environment.

The report on “Best Practices to Improve the Business Environment Across States/UTs in India”, prepared by consultancy firm Accenture on behalf of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, also talks about the best practices in Karnataka and Maharashtra on issues related to labour management and trade and investment facilitation system.

“Although we have chosen to showcase Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation’s model for land-related intervention as the best practice, some other states have taken initiatives to help businesses get land for setting up facilities,” it said.

Land acquisition, it may be noted, has become a controversial issue in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, with Congress accusing Gujarat government in of giving cheap land to business houses. The report said Gujarat has “a very simplified land acquisition procedure with minimum direct government participation.”

“An entrepreneur can approach GIDC for a speedier acquisition with fewer hassles,” it said.
With regard to land acquisition, it also cited examples of Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.

As regards environmental clearances, it praised the practices adopted by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board. “The GPCB has adopted the (various) features in the Extended Green Node portal which has made it a best practice and can be replicated across other states.”