Lesson for state govts from Singur controversy: BJP

New Delhi, Sep 8 (UNI) The BJP today said the State governments should learn lesson from the Singur controversy to not acquire land from farmers directly for setting up industries.

"If any industrial house is interested in setting up an industry in a state, it should directly approach the farmers and negotiate the price. If they can invest crores of rupees in setting up a industry they could also pay lucrative price to the farmers for the land," BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley told newspersons here.

Without naming the Tata, or the Singur controversy, he said the state government should stay away from the acquisition of land for setting up private industries, he said.

Emphasising the need for changes to be brought about in the Land Acquisition Act, Mr Jaitley suggested that at least one member of each farmer's family affected by the acquisition of land should be given employment. Besides, such families should also be given an industrial plot of not less than 1000 sq yard.

He also suggested that a part of revenue earned by the industry should also be utilised for development of the area where it is situated, which may include setting up a big hospital and laying of roads besides providing other basic amenities.

UNI KAS RR AS1902