LyrArc Article Gist
As this editorial in the Hindu points out enabling land acquisition for industry is still one of major problems facing India as it struggles to modernize its economy and create manufacturing jobs. Amendments to the land acquisition law was a top priority of the Modi government in its first year in 2014-2015.

The effort stalled with Opposition resistance and opposition of farmers groups. Even as India moves up in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index it still remains below the top 50. The prime minister of Singapore on a visit to India made it clear that these problems restrict the level of investment in India and the speed of its modernization effort. As the Hindu editorial points out the need to win farmers votes has prevented further moves to amend land acquisition laws so that industrial development can move ahead. This can be costly for India if it means fewer jobs created, and costly for the government in its effort to win votes without being able to show the results of modernization in new development, new infrastructure and new jobs created.