Kolkata, Oct 08: The CPI(M) today demanded that the
Centre should adopt the West Bengal model on special economic
zone which stipulates segregated use of the land for various
purposes, including industrialisation and housing.
"We have submitted an alternative proposal to the
central government asking it to modify the SEZ act and its
rules and procedures in line with the West Bengal model where
50 per cent was reserved for industry and processing, 25 per
cent for industry-related infrastructure and the rest for real
estate development and housing", Biman Bose, chairman of the
West Bengal ruling Left Front said here.
He said the West Bengal model on SEZs had been accepted
by the party's central committee.
Asked to comment on Trinamool threat to oppose any move
to set up SEZs on agricultural land in West Bengal, Bose said
"those who do not believe in development activities will
oppose everything that will be in the interest of the state".
He said in West Bengal there was a rehabilitation
package for the displaced persons and landlosers were
adequately compensated for the loss of their land.
He said that in other states large tracts of land were
given to promoters for multi-product SEZs and added that in
those cases land was acquired from farmers without giving them
due compensation or provisions for livelihood.
"Even in Singur in Hooghly District in West Bengal,
where the Tata Motors car project is to come up, the economic
package has been drawn up for the landlosers", he said.
He said the Trinamool's proposed call for a Bangla
bandh tomorrow in protest against the acquisition of the land
for the Singur project was "anti-development" and
"anti-employment" and appealed the people to foil the bandh.
Bureau Report
