ASSOCHAM calls for land acquisition in Bengal

Kolkata, Sep 6 (UNI) The Association Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) today urged West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to formulate a land acquisition policy, while extending a strong support to the state Government to go ahead with a faster industrialization process following the Nano fiasco.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, ASSOCHAM Secretary General D S Rawat said a land acquisition policy on the basis of 'complete consensus' of all stakeholders needed to be evolved so that there was no future dispute in setting up industries.

" The land acquisition policy should be widely debated so that no industrial uprisings whatsoever recur once the land is acquired for industrial development.

This has become absolute necessary so that once formalities for land acquisition are competed within stipulated legal framework, no one raises its voice against fair land acquisition policy," he said.

Mr Rawat observed that after the pullout of the Tatas from Singur, West Bengal had lost "only one opportunity to become automobile hub, but won the war by emerging more vociferous for faster industrialization.

Appreciating the 'untiring efforts' and 'all humanly persuasions' of Mr Bhattacharjee to retain the Nano project in West Bengal, Mr Rawat said though it ultimately could not produce results, the state Government gained more confidnce of the industrial houses, largely the investors.

" As a result your government has acquired altogether a new image which is extremely credible from investment point of view. The confidence of investors in the state of West Bengal, as a matter of fact has deepened much more than what it used to be before Tata's decided to opt out of West Bengal," the letter said.

"We at ASSOCHAM are still confident that in course of time as the politically motivated resistance against Tata's fades away, the Tata's would return where they had committed their presence for industrial development of West Bengal", it said.

Mr Rawat said ASSOCHAM had already published a report stating that West Bengal was moving on right direction to garner investments that would create enormous employment potential and emerged as one of the leading states in this regard.

" We reiterate our commitment to adding on an investment of Rs. five lakh crore in the next few years.

This commitment is being reaffirmed in view of your visionary leadership that has provided the state of West Bengal and altogether new dimension for which Indian Inc." the letter said.

UNI KDG PC RN1810