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VOL. 7, ISSUE 5 (2025)
Special economic zones and the tilt of land laws in India: Balancing development, ownership rights, and legal innovation
Authors
Namithasri S, Thamizhselvi Karunanidhi
Abstract
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have emerged as a cornerstone of India’s
economic strategy since the enactment of the SEZ Act, 2005, aimed at attracting
investment, promoting exports, and fostering industrialization. The rapid
proliferation of SEZs has, however, generated complex legal and socio-economic
challenges, particularly in the realms of land acquisition, ownership rights,
and environmental sustainability. This paper critically examines how SEZ
legislation reshapes conventional land law principles, highlighting the tension
between facilitating economic development and safeguarding individual property
rights. Beyond traditional legal and socio-economic analyses, the study
introduces a novel framework that explores the integration of technological
innovations such as blockchain, smart contracts, and GIS mapping into SEZ land
governance, offering new avenues for transparency, accountability, and
efficient land management. Through a doctrinal and comparative methodology, the
paper examines the SEZ Act alongside the RFCTLARR Act, 2013, and other
land-related statutes, while drawing lessons from international practices in
China, Singapore, and the UAE. Key areas of focus include the legal flexibility
granted to SEZ developers and its implications for consent and compensation,
the environmental consequences of converting agricultural land for industrial
use, and the socio-economic impact on displaced communities, including
considerations of gendered land rights. By situating India’s SEZ land framework
within a global and technological context, the paper not only identifies policy
gaps but also proposes forward-looking reforms to balance rapid economic growth
with justice, equity, and sustainability. This study contributes a
multidimensional perspective, integrating law, technology, and
socio-environmental considerations, thereby offering a comprehensive roadmap
for modernizing SEZ land governance in India.
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Pages:126-136
How to cite this article:
Namithasri S, Thamizhselvi Karunanidhi "Special economic zones and the tilt of land laws in India: Balancing development, ownership rights, and legal innovation". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 7, Issue 5, 2025, Pages 126-136
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