CPI(M) to call for West Bengal model for land take over

Kolkata, Jan 3 (UNI) The CPI(M) will call for a scientific land use policy across the country on the West Bengal model while opposing indiscriminate acquisition of land for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), party General Secretary Prakash Karat today said.

"Ours is a national party and we will want a scientific policy on land use for industry to be followed across the country. We are working on such a model which will be implemented first in West Bengal," Mr Karat said while speaking at a function on the 41st foundation day of 'Ganashakti', the Bengali mouthpiece of the party.

He said the CPI(M) Central Committee, holding a three-day meeting in the city, had decided to demand an amendment to the SEZ Act to stop 'real estate speculations' and save farmers from distress.

Coming out with a stout support to the Singur line of the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Government, Mr Karat said a "false propaganda" was being carried out by the Opposition seeking to give an impression that farmers' land was being looted.

He clarified that the land acquisition at Singur was for setting up of an industry and not for any SEZ.

"If they think that labelling false charges will deter us from fighting on the SEZ issue, they are mistaken...in the coming days our party will oppose wherever land is given at throwaway prices to entrepreneurs," Mr Karat said.

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