How to address land injustices through reform

For decades, India's approach to its land market has been a story of incremental tweaks and failed legislative pushes. We are now at a point where a more audacious, structural overhaul is not just an option, but a necessity. Towards this, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has put forward a bold blueprint that deserves serious attention. It's not just another list of suggestions; it's a proposal to re-engineer the entire governance architecture of land in India. Here are its three game-changing pillars: 1. A GST Council for Land: Land is a state subject, resulting in a confusing patchwork of laws and taxes. The GST Council created a unified national market for goods by bringing the Centre and states together for consensus-based decisions. A similar council for land could harmonise titling laws, conversion procedures, and zoning regulations, creating a predictable, competitive environment across India. 2. Integrated State Land Authorities: Ask any investor about their biggest frustration, and they'll mention the "multiplicity of authorities." To get land, you run between the Revenue, Urban Development, Environment, and Industry departments. The CII proposes a single-window, Integrated Land Authority in each state. One authority, one application, one point of contact. This would slash delays and corruption. 3. Conclusive Titling - The Foundational Reform: This is the most critical proposal. We must transition from our current "presumptive" system, which fuels endless litigation, to a "conclusive" titling system where the state legally guarantees ownership. This single move would provide absolute certainty, de-risk investments, and unlock land's true value as a financial asset. These proposals are not about tinkering at the edges. They represent a fundamental shift in how we govern our most valuable economic asset. The call for conclusive titling is essentially a call to build a modern land ecosystem-a single, guaranteed source of truth that allows banks, businesses, and Govt agencies to transact with certainty. Implementing this blueprint requires immense political will. It demands a "grand bargain" where industry gets certainty in exchange for transparency, and landowners get fair compensation in exchange for a streamlined process. And PM Modi’s recently announced task force for "next-generation reforms" provides the perfect platform to champion this agenda. It's time to move beyond the old debates and build a modern land governance system worthy of a 21st-century economic power. And this is one key area demanding action. Thoughts? Devendra Agrawal - Dexter Capital Advisors / Dexter Ventures / Delta Investment Advisors

I am happy to share the third edition of my newsletter India Decoded. This month, I do a deep dive into land market reforms. India stands at a critical juncture. As the world's most populous nation, we face a unique challenge: escaping the middle-income trap. My latest essay explores how reforming our dysfunctional land markets could be the key to unlocking sustainable, inclusive growth. Did you know that efficient land markets could boost India's GDP by 1.3-1.5% annually? Or that only 19% of rural land has clear titles? These are just a few of the eye-opening facts I dive into. From West Bengal's Operation Barga to Karnataka's Bhoomi Project, I examine past successes and failures in Indian land reform. I look at international examples too - from Rwanda's use of drones for land mapping to Georgia's blockchain-based land registry to how Vienna is an example of the smart use of land policy for affordable housing. The essay outlines a comprehensive roadmap for reform, including: • Short-term goals like nationwide digitization of land records • Medium-term strategies such as modernizing zoning laws • Long-term visions like an AI-driven national land-use strategy Ready to explore how we can transform India's land markets for inclusive growth? #IndianEconomy #LandReform #EconomicGrowth #PolicyReform

International Day for Rural Women. Addressing land ownership and access for women involves recognizing and addressing the #systemicbarriers they face. Implementing policies that ensure equal access to land and property for all genders is crucial. In Africa, estimates show that less than 20 % of Women have adequate access and ownership of land. Meanwhile, women in Africa contribute 70 per cent of food production, account for nearly half of all farm labour, and 80–90 per cent of food processing, storage and transport, as well as hoeing and weeding. Steps that could be taken to curb and remedy the situation : Legal Framework: Ensure the legal framework supports women’s equal rights to land and property ownership and inheritance. 2. Education:Raise awareness and educate both men and women about women's equal rights to own and inherit property. 3. Support Systems:Develop support systems like cooperatives or associations focused on women farmers or landowners. 4. Financial Assistance: Facilitate women’s access to credit and financial resources to enable them to purchase, invest in, and profit from land and property. 5.Technology Access: Ensure that women have equal access to technology and training, which could enhance their agricultural productivity and management skills. 6. Capacity Building: Offer training and capacity building for women to effectively manage land and utilize it for various purposes such as agriculture, development, or conservation. 7. Address Cultural Norms: Work to change cultural and societal norms that restrict women's access to land ownership and control. 8. Encourage Women's Participation:Ensure women’s participation in decision-making bodies related to land use, management, and policy-making. 9. Safety and Security:Enhance women’s safety and security regarding land ownership and management, and ensure they can exercise their rights without fear of violence or retribution. 10. Monitoring and Evaluation Implement systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and interventions aimed at promoting women’s land ownership and management. Collaboration with governments, NGOs, communities, Private sector and international development organizations and Traditional authorities is key to ensuring the successful implementation of these steps and to promoting women's land ownership and access globally. It's essential to engage in dialogues, events, and campaigns, especially on occasions like International Women’s Day, to highlight the importance of women's land rights and to advance policies and practices that support these rights.

Land and Water Slipping Away: A Ticking Time Bomb for Zambia Zambia, like much of Africa, stands on the edge of a land and resource crisis. Foreigners are acquiring vast tracts of traditional land while Zambian citizens struggle to access even small parcels. Chiefs—custodians of customary land—often allocate thousands of hectares to so-called investors for quick monetary gain, sidelining their own people. Meanwhile, government policy continues to favor foreign interests, offering long-term leases and expedited title deeds to non-citizens, while locals face frustrating, costly delays. This is not just about land. It’s about sovereignty, justice, and the future of our people. If this trend continues, Zambia risks becoming a nation of tenants in our own homeland. We must learn from the painful histories of South Africa and Zimbabwe, where unresolved land issues ignited deep conflict and generational trauma. Adding to the crisis, even our water bodies—lakes and dams—are being handed over to foreign investors. Fish farming, traditionally a key source of livelihood for communities living around these water bodies, is now being dominated by outsiders. Local fishers are fenced out, criminalized, and denied access to what once sustained them. This is a new form of dispossession—one that extends beyond land to water, and with it, life. We need urgent and bold reforms: ban foreign land ownership, restrict access to water bodies, allow only tightly monitored leases, and empower locals through secure land and resource titles. Idle or misused land and water allocations must be repossessed by the state or traditional leaders. A digitized registry for land and water rights will promote transparency and curb corruption. If we don’t act now, our children will inherit a country where both land and water are lost to outsiders. This is not development—it is economic colonization. We must reclaim our heritage before it is too late.

📙 ‼️ Land Matters: SA's Land Reform 🌍 🖊️ In "Land Matters: South Africa's Failed Land Reforms and the Road Ahead," Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, a distinguished legal mind and author of "The Land Is Ours," delves into the complexities of South Africa's land reform initiatives. 🖊️ This incisive work scrutinizes the existing legislative framework, policy implementation, and socioeconomic factors that have led to the perceived failures in land redistribution. 🖊️ Ngcukaitobi navigates the intricate web of property rights, constitutional mandates, and historical injustices, offering a critical analysis of the obstacles hindering equitable land access. 🖊️ He elucidates the legal and practical challenges encountered by both claimants and the state, highlighting landmark cases and legislative shortcomings. 🖊️ He emphasizes the necessity of addressing the legacies of apartheid and colonialism to foster inclusive economic growth and social cohesion. 🖊️ This book isn't just a diagnosis; it proposes actionable strategies for a more effective and just land reform process. 🗝️ Golden Nuggets: ➡️ Historical Context: Understanding the impact of past injustices on current land ownership patterns. ➡️ Legislative Analysis: Critical evaluation of land reform laws and their practical application. ➡️ Socioeconomic Factors: Examining the role of economic inequality and social dynamics in land reform outcomes. 👌 Engage with "Land Matters" to deepen your understanding of this critical issue and contribute to shaping a more equitable future for all South Africans. #LandReform #SouthAfrica #LandMatters #PropertyRights #EconomicJustice

There are moments when history takes a decisive turn—when long-standing injustices are challenged, and fairness prevails. Yesterday was one such moment. The #Waqf Bill, with 14 crucial amendments proposed by the #NDA, has been cleared by the Joint Parliamentary Committee. For years, countless citizens—especially those caught in legal disputes—have raised concerns about the unchecked control of Waqf Boards, the lack of transparency, and the arbitrary land acquisitions under Waqf laws. Many families have lost ancestral homes, #businesses, and lands, often without proper legal recourse. Why the 14 Amendments: A New Dawn for Justice? With these amendments, the government is ensuring that: 1. No more arbitrary land acquisitions – All land disputes will be subjected to stricter #legal scrutiny and cannot be taken over without due process. 2. Accountability in Waqf Boards – No single body will have unchecked power over thousands of crores worth of land. 3. Transparency in governance – Every decision involving Waqf property will have public scrutiny and legal oversight. 4. Equality for all citizens– These amendments take a step toward uniform property rights, ensuring fairness for every #Indian, regardless of religion. These changes are not against any community but are meant to ensure that every citizen has equal property rights under the Constitution. What Does the Indian Constitution Say About Waqf and Property Rights? The Waqf Act, 1995, governs the management of Waqf properties in #India. However, there have been serious concerns regarding its alignment with constitutional values of equality, fairness, and secularism. Key Constitutional Provisions Relevant to This Reform: 1️⃣ Article 14 (Right to Equality) – Every citizen, irrespective of #religion, should have equal protection under the law. However, in many cases, Waqf Boards have had extraordinary powers over land acquisition, violating this principle. 2️⃣ Article 19(1)(f) (Freedom to Own Property) [before 1978 amendment] – Although the right to property is now a constitutional right (not a fundamental right), the government must ensure that no law unfairly deprives citizens of their land. 3️⃣ Article 25-28 (Freedom of Religion) – These amendments do not target any religion but ensure that religious institutions are accountable under the law, just like any other organization. 4️⃣ Article 300A (Right to Property) – No person shall be deprived of their property except by the authority of law. Many cases of Waqf land acquisitions have been challenged for violating this right. Why This Reform is Necessary? For too long, the Waqf Act has operated beyond the scope of judicial review, leading to allegations of unfair practices. These amendments bring much-needed legal accountability and balance while respecting India’s secular fabric. #JusticeForAll #WaqfBillReform #EqualRights #IndiaFirst #LegalReforms #Accountability #Transparency #Democracy

Point of view on addressing tenancy for inclusive growth in India agriculture & allied sectors: The future of Indian agriculture holds significant growth potential, yet two major challenges hinder progress: the predominance of small and marginal landholdings and the widespread issue of tenancy. Although initiatives like Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged to support small farmers, limited actions have been taken to address tenancy complexities. Around 40-50% of farmland is under tenancy, with tenants often lacking security, resources, and social protections. To empower tenant farmers and create an equitable policy framework, the following initiatives could be implemented: - Comprehensive Land Reforms: Legally recognize tenant rights & simplify leasing processes. - Access to Credit: Develop tailored credit schemes for tenants to boost productivity. - Cooperative Models: Promote tenant cooperatives to enhance bargaining power. - Social Protection Measures: Introduce targeted schemes for tenants, including insurance & subsidies. - Research and Data Collection: Improve understanding of tenancy patterns to inform policy-making. - Awareness and Capacity Building: Educate tenants about their rights & negotiation skills. By adopting the above interventions, we can improve inclusiveness, foster equitable rural development, and enhance the livelihoods of millions of tenant farmers in India. #TenantFarmers #AgriculturalReform #LandReform #SmallHolderFarmers #EquityInAgriculture #AgriculturalPolicy #CreditAccess Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India Ministry of Food Processing Industries Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Ministry of Cooperation Shivraj Singh Chouhan