HC's ruling is a big step towards industrialisation: Nirupam Sen

Kolkata, Jan 18(UNI) Hailing the Calcutta High Court's verdict that upheld land acquisition in Singur, West Bengal Industry Minister Nirupam Sen today said it was a 'big step' towards the state's industrialisation.

" The High Court's ruling is a big step towards industrialisation. It will help uplift the economic condition of the common people of Singur," he told reporters.

A two-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice S S Nijjar and Justice P K Ghosh, rejected all 11 petitions challenging the land acquisition in Singur by the state government for the Tata Motors small car project and held that it was not illegal.

Mr Sen said the Government would arrange an overall economic rehabilitation package for the farmers whose land had been taken for the project.

" The Government is ready for open discussions with, all political parties on the issue. It is also prepared to review the economic package if pointed out that it is inadequate," he said.

The state government had acquired about 1,000 acres of agricultural land in Singur about a year ago, trigerring widespread protests from different quarters.

Human rights watchgroups, farmers and lawyers moved the petitions before the court challenging the land acqusition.

UNI KDG KK/src1922