BJP applauds Commerce Ministry`s report on Gujarat land acquisition model

Zee Media Bureau New Delhi: Terming it as an `all around development`, the party Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday applauded a report sponsored by Commerce and Industry Ministry over the land acquisition model. Senior BJP leader Prakash Javadekar said, “Truth has prevailed,Commerce Ministry is absolutely right, there is all around development of farmers & nearby areas.” A Commerce and Industry Ministry sponsored report today 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 (GIDC) model for land-related intervention as the best practice, some other states have taken initiatives to help businesses to 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 Narendra Modi-led BJP government in Gujarat of giving cheap land to business houses. The report said Gujarat has a very simplified land acquisition procedure in the state 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, the report praised the practices adopted by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). "The GPCB has adopted the (various)features in the XGN (Extended Green Node) portal which has made it a best practice and can be replicated across other states," it added.

The other best practices, which featured in the report, pertain to integrated and comprehensive system for VAT in Karnataka; labour management solution in Maharashtra; setting up Maharashtra Industry, Trade and Investment Facilitation Cell; and single window clearance in Rajasthan and Punjab. With agency inputs