Kerala govt set to experiment with land pooling scheme to boost industrial sector

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has devised a scheme aimed at fostering business ventures and enhancing local infrastructure through a land pooling method. This initiative involves issuing notifications for development proposals, with the consent of land owners to contribute their land towards boosting infrastructural development in their locality. The plan is to implement this scheme in collaboration with local self-government institutions.

A portion of the contributed land will be allocated for commercial activities, with the revenue generated intended for developing basic infrastructure of the area. Landowners will receive compensation (land with increased value) in proportion to the land contributed to these enterprises. The government asserts that by improving infrastructure, the value of the contributed land will increase, benefiting the landowners.

This scheme has been incorporated into the Kerala Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, with the necessary mandates now prepared. Municipal corporations, municipal councils, town panchayats, or village panchayats may decide, through a resolution, to prepare, adopt, or modify a land pooling scheme for any part of their jurisdiction.

Procedure:

When a land pooling scheme is intended, a notification will be issued, inviting opinions from landowners. If 75% of the landowners in a designated area agree, the land pooling process will proceed, with the government acquiring the land without compensation.

Unused land for industries:

The government is exploring the possibility of utilising unused land under its control and that of government-owned institutions for commercial ventures. The Industries Department is currently mapping out the available land resources for this purpose.

Plans include establishing mini industrial parks on land owned by panchayats, with ownership retained by them. The government has earmarked Rs 3 crore for infrastructural development. The Industries Department and the Local Self Government Department will jointly oversee the implementation of these plans.