West Bengal reviews lease lands for compliance and development

Kolkata, 31 July – West Bengal's Land and Revenue Department will conduct a systematic review of all land parcels leased to private entities during the former TMC government. The review has two pillars: confirming that the leased land is being used for its sanctioned purpose and assessing the progress of the associated projects. Sites that remain vacant or only partially developed could be reclaimed, with the possibility of assigning them to other industrial ventures. If the land is being used for unrelated activities, the department will demand clarification, impose penalties or cancel the lease. Numerous complaints have highlighted that many leased plots are either empty, half‑finished, or employed for unauthorized purposes. In addition, the state introduced a "direct land purchase" policy to buy land straight from owners for rapid infrastructure and industrial development.