Basu calls upon Mamata not to tread "wrong" path

Kolkata, Jun 19 (UNI) Calling upon Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee not to tread the 'wrong path', veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu today asserted that the drive for industrialisation must be sustained to combat unemployment.

''Unemployment is our main concern. We need big, medium and small industries to provide for the educated youth. We shall go ahead with the process, I have no doubt in it, '' he told reporters.

While addressing a press conference two days before completion of 30 years of the Left Front Government, Mr Basu appealed to the Opposition to be constructive and not to oppose development of the state.

''Development cannot be brought in by hurling bombs and pulling down walls...Mamata is not going the right way...they(the opposition) have to understand that their opposition should be constructive, '' the former Chief Minister said.

Mr Basu's comments came shortly after Industry Minister Nirupam Sen announced an alternative rehabilitation package for the displaced farmers of Singur, negating Ms.Banerjee's demand for returning a portion of the acquired land to those farmers who were 'unwilling' to part with their plots.

The package envisages a string of training schemes for the displaced Singur villagers for earning livelihood out of the proposed small car project.

To a question on the problem over acquiring land for industries, the nonagenarian leader said efforts would be made for taking over non-agricultural land. '' But if at all we are required to acquire agricultural land, the compensation and rehabilitation package the Government has prepared, will be offered to the people. It is the best package in the country, '' he said.

UNI