India: land policies for growth and poverty reduction: agriculture and rural development sector unit South Asia Region

Land has always been of enormous economic and social relevance in India. Historically, land revenue has long been a key element of public service. By reducing investment and undermining the functioning of land markets, recent deterioration in the quality of land records is threatening to undermine Indias growth and global competitiveness. This report draws on in-depth study of land administration records, registration, surveys, and settlement in 14 states to assess the status of land administration. It points to many cases of public private partnerships that have harnessed modern technology to improve land records and thereby helped to reduce corruption, cut red tape, and provide the basis for better functioning of land markets. Drawing on international experience, the report identifies technical as well as policy gaps and charts out a path that will allow India to build on its comparative advantage in IT and remote sensing, to fill the gap in allowing low-cost, high-quality land administration. Land policy and administration is essential not only for the long term development of the economy but also as a key asset and basis of livelihood for the poor, especially women. To overcome the legacy of a highly unequal land ownership structure, the country has long adopted policies to redistribute land and outlaw or strictly regulate markets. Lack of enforcement has, however, limited the effectiveness of such policy. Land Policies for growth and poverty reduction draws on new evidence to assess how to ensure that such policy provides maximum benefit to the poor.