SEZ policy to pose problem for Bengal govt in acquiring land: Basu

Kolkata, Apr 6 (UNI) Veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu today expressed concern over the Centre's new policy on Special Economic Zone(SEZ) and said the issue will be discussed at length by the ruling Left Front as it might pose some problems before the state government.

'' The state government might face some problems in acquiring land for the SEZ in wake of the Centre's new policy announced yesterday.

We will discuss the issue within the Left Front meetings,'' the CPI(M) polit bureau leader told reporters after attending the party's state secretariat meeting here.

The Empowered Group of Ministers', headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, had announced that no state government could acquire land for the SEZ on behalf of private developers nor could form joint ventures with them.

Commenting on the Centre's decision to provide job to at least one member of the family, whose land would be acquired for SEZs, Mr Basu in a guarded remark said, '' time will only prove how well it can be implemented in proper manner.'' Stating that large number of party sympathisers, who were misinformed had realised their mistakes, were coming back into the party fold, Mr Basu said, ''party will seek people's cooperation and be able to convince them about the need for industrialisation.'' Regarding the modified investment proposals of Indonesia's Salim Group in the state, the former Chief minister categorically stated that the government had already decided that the chemical hub by the group would be delayed for at least three months.

UNI