West Bengal to unveil new investment policy on Thursday
The policy aims to address land availability issues through direct purchases, land pooling, and the repossession of unused industrial plots.
The West Bengal government is set to introduce the Investment Promotion Policy, 2026 on Thursday, according to The Indian Express. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will unveil the plan six months after the BJP took power in the state.
The policy focuses on solving land shortages by using direct purchases, land pooling, and recovering unused industrial land for efficient use. It also prioritises brownfield redevelopment and labour-intensive industries, while encouraging MSMEs to hire more women and transgender people.
Speaking at a ceremony in Dankuni in July, Adhikari said the government intends to procure land through a Direct Land Purchase Policy rather than acquisitions. He stated that the government has already provided land to the Indian Railways, the Border Security Force, and for a new airport and National Highway.
A senior official told The Indian Express that land pooling is proposed to create large, contiguous areas for major industries, as current holdings are often fragmented. The government also plans to recover unused industrial land currently held by the state.
Under the proposed rules, industrial units must start production within three years of receiving land. A senior official noted that if a factory fails to begin operations in that timeframe, the government is considering cancelling the land allocation.
The state will maintain a GIS-enabled inventory of industrial land to monitor ownership, size, and usage. Allotment by state agencies will involve online applications and time-stamped scrutiny, though specific procedures for land pooling and purchase terms will be clarified later.