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VOL. 12, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Ongoing implementation and policy challenges of land acquisition in west bengal: A sociological study
Authors
Tania Ghosh, Dr. Lava Kush
Abstract
The present research focuses on Land acquisition in West Bengal, which
is a highly sensitive and structurally distinct process, anchored by the
state’s historically unique "no forced land acquisition" policy and
the federal Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013. Moving away from colonial-era
compulsory taking, the state government predominantly relies on a Direct Land
Purchase Policy, acquiring parcels for public infrastructure through voluntary,
mutual-consent agreements with landowners to avoid protracted legal disputes.
In recent years, several studies have been conducted by sociologists and
economists on the problem of land acquisition. Mineral processing activities
involve the use of substances like cyanide and generate by- products which can
be harmful to the environment and create other risks; for instance, geological
uncertainty such as the collapse of the pit wall. Again, it poses risks to the
sustainability of many people. These include landlessness, homelessness (forced
relocation), loss of income (from traditional sources), loss of access to
communal resources vital for survival, cultural destabilisation, food
insecurity and health degradation. The study is conducted to examine the
changes in employment status of the affected people in the pre- and
post-acquisition scenario, and to focus on the types of compensation offered by
the state government to the owners of land. Land acquisition survey, personal
survey and socioeconomic survey were conducted for data collection. Districts
like Birbhum, Bankura, Asansol, Durgapur, Hooghly and Howrah have been visited
for an empirical study.
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Pages:22-26
How to cite this article:
Tania Ghosh, Dr. Lava Kush "Ongoing implementation and policy challenges of land acquisition in west bengal: A sociological study". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 22-26
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