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Development can't come from barrel of gun: Mamata

KOLKATA: “Development cannot come from the barrel of a gun or through hooliganism. It comes through work,” said Railways Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee at Andal in West Bengal's Bandhhaman district, while launching work for a few industrial ventures involving the railways.

She said that while the decision to set up a wagon unit was taken jointly with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) using its land at Kulti near the erstwhile IISCO, a facility for making coaches would also be set up at Andal using railway land. This facility would make coaches for the dedicated freight corridor.

Steel Minister VirBhadra Singh said the event was a reflection of the winds of change blowing again in the State through such initiatives by the Railways. “The facility will be a path-breaking venture and play a significant role in fulfilling the growing requirement of wagons.”

Capacity augmentation

SAIL Chairman C.S. Verma stated: “Indian Railways and SAIL have a long and strong association. The Indian Railways has been providing the service of transporting practically all of SAIL's raw material and finished products. SAIL's share in total freight business of Railways is about 7 per cent in both volume and monetary terms.”

The capacity augmentation scheme of the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works also in the same district, would be rolled out soon, she said. “RAIL, SAIL and coal” will catalyse West Bengal's economic recovery, she said.

The administration has turned a blind eye to the rampant illegal mining in these areas, Ms. Banerjee alleged. Envisioning an industrial renaissance for the State, Ms. Banerjee said that it was necessary to give people their rights rather than grants and doles. “Your children will no longer need to leave the State to scout for jobs” she assured them.

Later at a public meeting in Purulia district, she said that it was anybody's guess as to what could be done in the future, if she could deliver projects just with one portfolio. “Just wait for a month and half ,” she said.

On Sunday, the Railways will sign a memorandum of understanding with NTPC for setting up a 1320 MW power plant at Adra in Purulia.

The foundation stone of a coach ‘mid-life rehabilitation workshop' would also be set up in Anara in the same district.

“You can win over people with development work, not by intimidating them” the TMC supremo said.

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