West Bengal Land Reforms Bill passed

Kolkata: The West Bengal Land Reforms (Third Amendment) Bill was passed in the state Assembly on Friday.

The amendment will "ensure effective implementation of the Act in protecting the interest of the those who are holding land for a long time and have converted the character of land without permission for purposes like educational institutions, healthcare institutions, industrial or commercial units."

The one-time provision to provide legitimacy to it will mainly help the industrial sector by regularising "the change, conversion or alteration in the area, character or mode of use of any plot of land of any size, other than any plot of land having water body on payment of such fee".

It will help in bringing additional investments for expansion and enhance employment opportunities. It will also contribute to the state Gross Domestic Product.

Many units have come up on plots without taking the required permission. Now, the state government is taking necessary measures to help owners of the units so they can expand their businesses that had not been possible for owners of the commercial units as they didn't have the required clearances.