No Change in Land Acquisition Policy Planned, Says Cabinet Secretary

New Delhi: The Union government has made it clear that there are no plans to amend India’s existing land acquisition policy, despite persistent delays faced by large infrastructure and development projects across the country. The assurance came from Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan, who stated that while land acquisition remains a key challenge, the government believes the current legal framework strikes a necessary balance between development needs and democratic rights.

Land Acquisition Remains a Major Bottleneck

Speaking at a public policy and governance forum, the Cabinet Secretary acknowledged that land acquisition issues account for nearly one-third of delays in major infrastructure projects in India. These include highways, rail corridors, industrial corridors, power projects, and urban development initiatives.

However, he emphasized that challenges related to land, forest clearances, and right-of-way are not unique to India and are part of the complexities faced by democratic societies worldwide. According to the government, changing the law is not seen as the solution; instead, the focus remains on better implementation, coordination, and monitoring.

Why the Government Is Not Changing the Law

India’s land acquisition process is governed by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. The law mandates consent, fair compensation, social impact assessments, and rehabilitation of affected families.

Officials believe that the law ensures equity, transparency, and protection of landowners, particularly farmers and rural communities. The Cabinet Secretary noted that development cannot come at the cost of democratic values, social justice, or public trust.

Revisiting or diluting the policy, the government fears, could lead to social unrest, legal challenges, and long-term instability, which may ultimately harm investment sentiment rather than improve it.

Focus on Faster Implementation, Not Policy Changes

Rather than amending the land acquisition law, the Centre is prioritizing administrative reforms and project-monitoring mechanisms to reduce delays. One of the key tools being used is PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation), a digital platform chaired by the Prime Minister to fast-track stalled projects.

Through PRAGATI and inter-ministerial coordination, issues related to land acquisition, compensation disputes, and clearances are being reviewed at the highest level to ensure timely resolution.

The government is also working closely with state governments, as land is a state subject, to improve execution and consensus-building at the local level.

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Impact on Infrastructure and Investment

India is currently undertaking massive infrastructure expansion under initiatives such as Gati Shakti, National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Dedicated Freight Corridors, and industrial corridors. Delays in land acquisition have a direct impact on project timelines, costs, and investor confidence.

While industry stakeholders have often demanded simpler land acquisition norms, the government maintains that predictability and stability in policy are equally important for long-term investments.

Officials argue that frequent changes in land laws could create uncertainty and litigation, slowing projects further instead of accelerating them.

Balancing Development and Democracy

The Cabinet Secretary stressed that India’s governance model must balance rapid economic growth with social responsibility. Unlike authoritarian systems, India’s democratic structure requires consultation, consent, and legal safeguards.

This approach, though time-consuming, ensures that development projects are sustainable, inclusive, and socially acceptable. The government believes that strengthening institutional capacity and dispute-resolution mechanisms is more effective than rewriting the law.

The Road Ahead

Going forward, the government plans to:

• Improve coordination between central and state agencies
• Use technology to track land acquisition progress
• Speed up dispute resolution and compensation payments
• Encourage early stakeholder engagement at the project planning stage

The message from the Centre is clear: land acquisition reform will focus on execution, not legislation.

Conclusion

The government’s decision to retain the existing land acquisition policy underscores its commitment to democratic principles while pursuing large-scale infrastructure development. While land acquisition continues to be a challenge, the Centre believes that efficient governance, transparency, and cooperation — not legal overhauls — hold the key to faster project delivery and sustainable growth.