The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is advocating for comprehensive land reforms to enhance India's manufacturing sector and attract investors, ultimately aiming to position India as a major global manufacturing hub. CII emphasizes that coordinated efforts between the central and state governments are crucial to address existing challenges. They have proposed nine specific suggestions to streamline processes and promote economic growth.

CII highlights that foundational changes are needed in the land sector, focusing on access, cost, and regulatory ease. The industry body suggests creating a GST-like council for land policy coordination. This council would enable coordinated and consensus-based land reforms, addressing the fact that land governance in India largely falls within state jurisdiction.

Another key suggestion involves transforming the India Industrial Land Bank (IILB) into an effective national tool. Currently, the IILB primarily serves as an information portal. CII recommends evolving it into a true national land bank that not only integrates land information but also facilitates land allocation across states through a single digital interface.

CII also advocates for transparent and uniform land-related processes across states. They propose establishing Integrated Land Authorities in each state and fully digitizing the land conversion process. The current land conversion system is largely physical, causing delays in industrial projects. Digitization, with digitally signed certificates and QR code-enabled third-party verification, would ensure transparency and eliminate corruption.

Furthermore, CII recommends rationalizing stamp duty rates to a uniform range of 3 to 5 percent across states. The current stamp duty rates in India are high and vary significantly across states, adding cost and unpredictability for investors. Standardizing these charges would make transactions more affordable.

CII also suggests that states move towards a conclusive titling system to ensure clear ownership.

According to CII, a robust land reform strategy will not only boost India's manufacturing sector but also improve investor confidence, unlock rural development potential, and drive inclusive growth. By implementing these reforms, India can capitalize on emerging opportunities and progress towards the goal of "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.