The Hindu : National : No alternative to setting up of factories: Buddhadeb

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Friday, Feb 16, 2007
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National

National

No alternative to setting up of factories: Buddhadeb

Special Correspondent

We will ensure the welfare of agricultural workers, he says

— Photo: SUSHANTA PATRONOBISH

"NO INJUSTICE:" West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee addresses a rally in support of the Singur Tata Motors car manufacturing project, nearly 10 km from the project site at Nalikul on Thursday. — Photo: SUSHANTA PATRONOBISH

NALIKUL (HOOGHLY): "It is the moral responsibility" of the Left Front Government to ensure the welfare of agricultural workers who earned a livelihood by working on farmland which has been acquired for the Tata Motors' project at Singur, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here on Thursday. "They will be engaged in some work either inside or outside the factory."

"We will see to it that no tear is shed; we shall allow no such injustice," Mr. Bhattacharjee said addressing a rally nearly 10 km from the project site. It was his first public meeting in an area adjoining Singur since the controversy over the project began.

Admitting that there was a small minority who might be aggrieved over the setting up of the plant, the Chief Minister said he believed that they would realise that their apprehensions were unfounded. "It is the duty of the State Government not to leave anyone by the wayside" as it pursued its drive towards industrialisation without which "the economy of the State might come to a standstill."

Making only passing reference to the Trinamool Congress and the naxalite groupings who were in the vanguard of the campaign against the project, Mr. Bhattacharjee said what was of utmost interest to the State Government was receiving the consent of the local people for future industry.

"Those opposing industry were crying themselves hoarse over land being acquired even though it was a minuscule [part] of the total agricultural land in the State. What we [the Left Front government] are saying is the situation should instead be perceived considering what is coming our way [by setting up industry]," he added.

"Do we want industry or not is the question, whether at Singur or other parts of the State which had been marked for industrial projects," the Chief Minister pointed out.

Mandate for development

"We cannot go back to our homes having received such an overwhelming mandate for development in the last Assembly elections. There are thousands of people looking towards us to provide them employment opportunities. We cannot forsake them.'' There can be no alternative to setting up factories." " If we get your support we will move forward [in our drive towards industrialisation] by setting up more factories. None can stop us if the people are with us," Mr. Bhattacharjee asserted.

The Chief Minister said that he had opted for a venue other than Singur for the meeting for reasons of fairness as the Opposition parties had been prevented from holding rallies at Singur owing to the imposition of prohibitory orders. Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee addressed a rally opposing the Singur project on the outskirts of Singur at Chanditola on February 10.

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