CPI(M) to launch pro-industry campaign to blunt Mamata

Kolkata, Dec 31(UNI) With the Singur issue coming handy for Ms Mamata Banerjee to create political volatility, the CPI(M) in West Bengal will launch a massive campaign for development from the new year.

The party's state committee, which met here today, decided to carry out the campaign through Janauary and February, demanding more industries and more employment opportunities.

The decision was taken after CPI(M) state committee Secretary Biman Basu called for an organised campaign against the 'propaganda', launched by the opposition against the Left Front Government.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Industry Minister Nirupam Sen and veteran leader Jyoti Basu were among others present at the meeting.

Working out its line of action, the party decided to harp in the campaign on speedy development of the state's economy, more productivity in agriculture, increasing the pace of industrialisation and expanding scopes for more employment.

The meeting also decided that the party's state unit would publish two booklets to apprise the people of its industrial and agricultural policies.

Explaining the present socio-economic situation in the state, the Chief Minister told the meeting that his Government had taken up a comprehensive policy to protect the farmers' interests as well as setting up of industries.

He said it was necessary to explain to the people why the Government was for industrialisation and how would it make a balance between industry and agriculture.

Stating that industry was necessary for employment generation, the Industry Minister said the Government had put thrust on setting up of productive industries which would entail medium and small ancillary units.

The decision came at a time when the opposition parties, led by the Trinamool Congress were up in arms against the Left Government for what they alleged acquisition of agricultural land for industries.

Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee went for a 25-day hunger strike in protest against taking over farm land at Singur in Hooghly district for Tata Motors' small car project alleging that the move would deprive the local farmers of their livelihood.

UNI