Poor should be included into globalisation: Sen

Kolkata, Feb 12: To alleviate poverty completely, the poor needs to be included in the process of globalisation, West Bengal Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen said today.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr Sen said'' The present globalisation is actually exclusive in nature as large chunk of the people have no access to the market and this has to be changed.'' He said the state government was poised to enter the path of growth and during the last three decades it had seen a tremendous development in the agrarian sector. However, the industrial sector had not seen a significant growth, he added.

'' I think there is no such controversy about the necessity of industrialisation, the only problem lies in the land acquisition,'' he said at a ceremony organised by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce to felicitate Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus.

The state's Gross Domestic Production (GDP) had increased in the last three to four years which was more than the nation's, he said, adding the agriculture and service sectors only contributed to the gross income of the state.

'' This way there has been a tremendous pressure on the agricultural sector and if the burden is not shifted then the growth will be retarded,'' he said, adding the industries should be given priority.

The Minister said the Iron and Steel industries would add enormously to the state's GDP and would immensely develop the state.

'' If the agriculture produce is compared to the 80's, we will find that the agricultural produce has decreased due to the pressure on it and for this we have to turn towards industrialisation,'' the Minister added.

Referring to the Singur and Nandigram issue, he said the government was planning to prepare a compensation package for the farmers, who have lost their land for the proposed Tata Motor's small car project and setting up of SEZ's.

''We will ensure that every one is happy with the deal, we want to make the people understand that poverty can be eliminated only by witnessing rapid industrialisation,'' Mr Sen said.

UNI