Bardhan wants transparency in WB land acquisition

Kolkata, Jan 6: Asking the Left Front Government in West Bengal totake a "lesson from Singur", CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan todaycalled for maintaining total transparency on future land acquisition inthe state to protect the Left unity.

"Singur is one of the lessons that one should learn...whateversteps are taken for land acquisition should be completelytransparent--through discussions among the Left partners. The preciousLeft unity can be maintained through mutual confidence andtransparency," he told reporters at the end of the party's three-dayNational Council meeting.

Observing that "it was unfortunate" that the West BengalGovernment did not apprise the coalition partners of the details on theTata Motors' small car project in Singur, the CPI general secretarysaid the party had already made it clear that all details on theproposed land acquisition and the SEZ to be set up in Nandigram in EastMidnapore district should be discussed among the coalition partners.

Mr Bardhan said discussions would help all Left partners to helpimplement the industrial projects and if necessary, also bring inchanges to the plan.

In reply to a question whether the party would demand the Singurissue to be reviewed, he, however, said, "there is nothing to undo inSingur now when the land has been acquired, some people have givenconsent letter and compensation has been paid.

"But please let us know at what rate Tatas are getting land fromthe government when the plots have been acquired from owners at pricesbetween Rs nine and 12 lakhs per acre," he said.

Asked to comment on the government's refusal to divulge details onthe Tata project on the ground of 'trade secret', Mr Bardahn shot back,"we do not accept the reason of trade secret. What is there after theagreement is signed? It must be made public," he said.

While the party's National Council demanded an immediate halt tothe process of land acquisition for SEZ in the country, the generalsecretary, however, defended the West Bengal Government saying unlikethe practice elsewhere in the country it had already made public itspolicy to keep 50 per cent SEZ land for the project, 25 per cent forancillary units and the rest for infrastructure. In Singur thegovernment was also handing over the acquired land to the Tatas on thebasis of lease, he pointed out.

Mr Bardhan said on the issue of SEZ there was no difference among the Left parties.

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