Bengal prepares new rehab package

Kolkata, May 24 (UNI) The West Bengal government has embarked on formulating a new compensation and rehabilitation package for persons displaced because of acquisition of land for industrialisation.

State Commerce and Industry Minister Nirupam Sen, Land Reforms Minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah and district magistrates of Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 parganas, South 24 parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore met yesterday to discuss the modalities of the rehabilitation package.

The land acquisition process has to be made simpler since investors seek land immediately for starting their projects, Mr Sen said after the meeting.

The district magistrates have been asked to prepare a list of the marginal farmers, whose only source of income is the land to be acquired, Mr Mollah said, adding that a proper rahabiliation package for the marginal farmers would be also taken into consideration.

The rehabilitation package also promises to take care of the displaced people below the poverty line by providing a house in nearby places.

Mr Sen said the government would avoid taking lands in residential areas and offer proper compensation in case it becomes absolutely necessary to acquire land in such areas.

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