The Hindu : National : ``Not aware of ground realities in West Bengal''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007
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National

National

``Not aware of ground realities in West Bengal''

Special Correspondent

Says it should be ensured that land is not taken from peasants forcibly

Muhammad Yunus

KOLKATA: Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Monday refused to be drawn into the political debate raging in West Bengal on acquisition of agricultural land for industry. He, however, reiterated that "theoretically there could be no two ways on the need for industry coming up on agricultural land."

"When it comes to any specific situation — which land for which industry — I am not in a position to comment," he said, adding that he had not realised earlier how prickly the issue was in West Bengal.

Speaking to newspersons soon after his arrival here on Sunday, Dr. Yunus said agricultural land was required for growth of industry without which economic development would suffer.

He also suggested that it was necessary to set up special economic zones for development.

"I think I have landed myself in trouble with my comments yesterday. I hope the Opposition parties do not get me wrong... I am not aware of the actual ground realities [regarding the matter] here," Dr. Yunus said.

What is imperative, however, was that, "when it comes to acquisition of land for industry it should be ensured that land is not taken [from the peasants] forcibly," he said. "That would be unjustifiable." "The peasants should be provided with the right alternative. It needs to be recognised that they are also participating in the development process...This can be done," he said.

"But I will not like to intervene in the present debate on the subject revolving around which industry should come up on which land. I have only spoken on the basic principles [of the subject]," Dr. Yunus said.

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