Land acquisition a major issue in infrastructure development: Cabinet Secretary

The statement by the Cabinet Secretary, highlighting land acquisition as a major impediment to infrastructure development and noting the unquantified savings from the PRAGATI portal, offers a crucial lens into India's developmental challenges and governance mechanisms. This issue lies at the intersection of economic growth, social justice, and administrative efficiency, making it highly relevant for competitive exam aspirants.

**Background Context and Historical Evolution:**

India's ambitious infrastructure push, encompassing highways, railways, industrial corridors, and smart cities, is vital for sustained economic growth and job creation. However, a consistent bottleneck has been the challenge of acquiring land for these projects. Historically, land acquisition in India was governed by the archaic Land Acquisition Act of 1894, a colonial-era law that largely favoured the state's eminent domain power with minimal compensation and no provision for rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R). This often led to forced displacements, inadequate remuneration, and widespread protests, particularly from farmers and tribal communities, creating significant social unrest and project delays. The increasing frequency and intensity of these conflicts underscored the need for a more equitable and transparent framework.

This historical context led to the enactment of the **Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act (RFCTLARR Act), 2013**. This landmark legislation aimed to balance the state's need for land with the rights of landowners and affected families. Key provisions included mandatory Social Impact Assessments (SIA), higher compensation (up to four times the market value in rural areas), comprehensive R&R packages, and a consent clause (70% for private projects, 80% for PPP projects). While a progressive step, the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, also introduced complexities, increased project costs, and extended timelines, leading to the very challenges the Cabinet Secretary points out. Subsequent attempts by the government, such as the Land Acquisition Ordinance in 2015, to dilute certain provisions (like SIA and consent for specific infrastructure projects) faced strong political opposition and eventually lapsed, highlighting the contentious nature of this issue.

**PRAGATI Portal: A Governance Mechanism:**

Alongside the land acquisition challenge, the mention of the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) portal is significant. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25, 2015, PRAGATI is a multi-modal platform designed for the Prime Minister to review and monitor various government projects and grievances. It brings together Union Secretaries and Chief Secretaries of states on a single platform, facilitating real-time monitoring of mega projects, addressing bottlenecks, and ensuring timely implementation. The fact that the savings due to timely monitoring by PRAGATI have not been calculated points to a gap in impact assessment and accountability, even for robust governance tools. While PRAGATI undoubtedly enhances transparency and speeds up decision-making, quantifying its economic benefits remains crucial for demonstrating its effectiveness and justifying resource allocation.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Numerous stakeholders are intricately linked to land acquisition and infrastructure development. The **Central Government** (PMO, NITI Aayog, various ministries like Road Transport and Highways, Railways) initiates and funds projects. **State Governments** (Chief Secretaries, District Collectors, Land Revenue departments) are primarily responsible for the actual land acquisition process. **Project Developers** (Public Sector Undertakings and private companies) are directly impacted by delays and cost overruns. **Landowners** (farmers, tribal communities, urban residents) are the primary affected parties, seeking fair compensation and secure livelihoods. **Local communities** face displacement, environmental impacts, and changes to their social fabric. **Civil society organizations** and advocacy groups often represent the interests of affected populations, while the **judiciary** plays a critical role in resolving disputes and interpreting laws.

**Significance for India and Future Implications:**

Effective land acquisition is paramount for India's economic ambitions. Infrastructure is a force multiplier, boosting manufacturing, facilitating trade, creating employment, and enhancing connectivity. Delays in projects due to land acquisition issues lead to significant cost overruns, deter domestic and foreign investment, and impede India's competitiveness on the global stage. It directly impacts the success of flagship schemes like the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and PM Gati Shakti, which aim for integrated planning and synchronized project implementation. Furthermore, the issue has profound social implications, determining whether development is inclusive or contributes to inequality and marginalization. Politically, land acquisition can be a highly charged issue, impacting electoral outcomes and Centre-State relations.

**Related Constitutional Articles, Acts, and Policies:**

At the core of land acquisition is **Article 300A of the Indian Constitution**, which states that "no person shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law." This article, post the 44th Amendment in 1978 (removing property as a fundamental right), makes it clear that while the state can acquire private property, it must do so through a legally established process. The **RFCTLARR Act, 2013**, is the primary law governing this process. Other relevant policies include the **National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007**, and the various guidelines issued by NITI Aayog and line ministries. The **Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP)** is also crucial for creating transparent and accurate land records, which can significantly streamline acquisition processes.

Looking ahead, India needs innovative solutions. This includes developing robust land banks, leveraging technology like GIS and blockchain for transparent land records, exploring land pooling and land lease models, and ensuring genuine participation and fair R&R for affected communities. The uncalculated savings from PRAGATI highlight the need for better data analytics and impact assessment frameworks for all governance initiatives. Ultimately, addressing land acquisition efficiently and equitably is not just about building roads and railways; it's about building trust, fostering inclusive growth, and strengthening the foundations of India's democratic and developmental aspirations.