Railway jobs for farmers who give up lands

Amta, Jan 5: Besides compensation, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised railway jobs to one member each of the families giving their lands or homesteads for railway projects.

"If anybody gives his land or homestead for our projects, one member of the family will be given jobs in the railways. For this, we have amended the relevant land acquisition act a month back," Banerjee said.

The minister, who announced this after laying the foundation for the Howrah-Amta broadgauge line, said that it is not railways' 'policy' to take land forcibly from people for its projects.

Speaking on the 16-km broadgauge project, Banerjee said it would entail a total expenditure of Rs 103.3 crore.

There will be two halt stations on the route and the project will also help the region in developing economically, she added.

The Deshapran-Nandigram line will be launched on Jan 30, the martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi, she said adding that the new sea resort of Mandarmoni in East Midnapore district would also be connected by rail.

OneIndia News