Mamata reiterates demand for returning 400 acres to Singur farmers

Kolkata, Aug 19 (UNI) Asserting that she was not averse to industry, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee today reiterated her demand for returning 400 acres of land to farmers which were acquired for Tata's small car project in Singur.

Interacting with the members of the Chambers of Commerce, Ms Banerjee emphasised that 600 acres of land were adequate enough for setting up the car factory and hence the rest of the total 1000 acres of land acquired for the purpose should be given back.

'' We want development of both agriculture and industry and I appreciate your concern for the industrial progress of West Bengal but there must be a reasonable solution to the problems that come in the way of economic development of the state,'' Ms Banerjee observed.

She pointed out that the 400 acres of land which were acquired for setting up ancillary units could be set up elsewhere.

Referring to tomorrow's proposed meeting between Industry Minister Nirupam Sen and Opposition leader Partha Chatterjee to resolve the impasse, Ms Banerjee alleged that the state government was adopting '' delayed tactics" to resolve the issue.

Demanding a uniform industrial policy, she said the Centre had sought recommendations from the states regarding scrapping of the land acquisition Act, 1894, but the CPI(M)-led Left Front government did not respond to it yet.

Mentioning about tomorrow's industrial strike, she said '' It will be state-sponsored bandh in West Bengal against the will of the common people.'' The Trinamool chief, however, opined that her party also might call for a bandh on Singur issue if their demands were not met.

UNI ADG KK PKC 2011