Transparency in land acquisition need of the hour: Left

New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) With the issue of creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in West Bengal snowballing into a major controversy, the Left Parties called for adoption of a more ''transparent and humanitarian approach'' to the subject.

The CPI(M) also stressed the need for reducing too much ''depedence'' on the agritulture sector as much scope was not left for job creation in the sector.

The reported killing of seven people following clashes between CPI(M) cadres and farmers over land acquisition in Nandigram near Haldia, where Indonesia's Salim Group is slated to set up two SEZs, has further accentuated the problem, the party said.

On setting up SEZs in Nandigram, CPI Genenral Secretary A B Bardhan said the CPI(M) should learn a lesson from Singur and take all the constituents of the Left democratic Front (LDF) and the people into confidence before any land acquisition.

''The violence is result of unthoughtful notices issued by the Haldia Development Corporation. They have no authority to do so. The LDF is yet to discuss the Chemical Hub and other indsutrial projects in Midnapur.'' Mr Bardhan, veteran freedom fighter and a Communist, said.

CPI National Secretary Shamim Faizi said the constituents of the LDF, including the CPI, were of the view that the state government should allocate barran or waste lands for the SEZs.

The state government should also provide infrastuctural facilities in the affected areas. Besides, acquisition of multi-crop land should be avoided to the possible extent, the CPI leader said.

Mr Faizi said the ownership of land acquired should be trasnferred to the private developers on lease basis only.

''However, the issue of industrialisation in West Bengal should not be polticised, as being done by both the Trinmool Congress and the Congress,'' Mr Bardhan observed.

While assserting that without land acquisiton industrial development was not possible, CPI(M) Polti Bureau member M K Pandhe said the Left Parties should arrive at a consensus for the implementation of SEZs in the state, He, however, pleaded that farming land must be avoided for SEZs and that his party was willing to discuss the related issues- compensation and the acquisition process.

''We are open to discussions,'' he said.

Forward Bloc General Secretary Debvrat Biswas said some confusion prevailed while implementing policy on SEZs in the state as it lacked transparency.

''The CPI, RSP and our party have raised the issue at various fora, and also brought to light the police brutality. We oppose imposition of Section 144 in Singur.'' Stating that no dicussions ever took place on the Nandigram project, Forward Bloc National Secretary G Devrajan recalled the submission of a nine-page document by the Left parties to the UPA government.

''It contained 14 points, covering issues like the land use policy for SEZs, demand for reviewing tax concessions, among other things,'' he noted.

On Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Mr Faizi said after CPI(M)'s decision not to strike an alliance with the Samjawadi Party, the CPI will see to it that all Left Parties went together in the polls.

''The CPI, CPI(M-L), RSP and Forward Bloc are already in the struggle launched by the Jan Morcha, floated by former prime minsiter V P Singh.'' Mr Pandhe said his party had decided to field candidates in as many as 16 constituencies where the party base was strong.

''We will also support the winnable candidates to ensure that the BJP does not come back to power there.'' However, Party Genenral Secretary Prakash Karat asserted that his party will not support any anti-SP combination.

Although, Mr Bardhan said as far as the UP Assembly polls were concerned enough time was left for realignment of political forces, Mr Pandhe maintained that some way had to be found to avoid a split in secular votes.

UNI