Kolkata, Jan 8 (IANS) Countering allegations that her government's hands-off policy in land acquisition was hindering West Bengal's industrial development, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said land was "easily available" throughout the state.
"Fifteen urban cities have been announced. We have identified some land also," Banerjee said at the two-day Bengal Global Business Summit here.
She said the Trinamool government has "kept" 100 acres of land each in Bolpur (in Shantiniketan) of Birbhum district and Kalyani in Nadia district.
Also, plots for industrialisation and urbanisation of the state have been identified in Durgapur (Burdwan district), Haldia (East Midnapore district), Siliguri (Darjeeling district) and Rajarhat.
"For instance in Kalyani, an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) or an IIIT is coming up... there also, we have kept 100 acres of land for a smart city," she said.
"From Rajarhat (in Kolkata's northeastern outskirts) to Salt Lake to Durgapur to Kalyani to Haldia, there are so many places (for industrialisation)," she said.
Banerjee assured people from the industry that neither "local people" nor "villagers" will create any problem in their quest for land and the state government will stand by the businessmen.
"We will give you full cooperation," she said.
Though the chief minister said her government has created a "land bank" for the industry, she reiterated her stand on not allowing Special Economic Zones (SEZ).
"Basically, we don't agree with this SEZ proposal because of political compulsion... you go for other options," she said.
Banerjee also said her government will look into what "advantages" can be given to the IT sector wishing to invest.
The Trinamool chief had recently opposed the Land Ordinance issued by the central goverment.
Soon after coming to power, the Trinamool government had announced that industrialists would have to purchase land from the owners and the government would not get involved in it.
Social media: Facebook a big threat to children and democracy; The company's former data chief Hogan testified in the US Senate
Former Facebook data scientist Francis Hogen has said that Facebook is a big threat to children's mental health, democracy, and society. This creates discrimination. Elected public representatives
Irfan's big statement on Hardik's captaincy: IPL captaincy lasts for two months, and a lot has to be learned to become the leader of Team India
Hardik Pandya, who made Gujarat Titans IPL champion based on his captaincy, has to learn a lot to become the captain of Team India. This is to say of former Indian fast bowler and commentator Irfan
Corona in the country: 2.38 lakh new cases in 24 hours, 310 patients died; So far, more than 50 lakh healthcare, frontline workers have received precaution doses
Corona cases have decreased for the second consecutive day in the country. On Monday, 2 lakh 38 thousand 18 new cases of corona have been found. During this, 305 people died and 1 lakh 57 thousand 421
Seizure: 1,137 kg of banned raw sea cucumber seized, worth Rs 5.11 crore
About 1,137 kg of banned raw sea cucumber, estimated to be worth Rs 5.11 crore, dumped in the sea near Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district was seized, the Indian Coast Guard said on Thursday. This is
'Good business driving force behind Indo-US relations'
New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) Former Indian and US diplomats Friday held business as a force to drive the two economies, a signal US President Barack Obama must send out in his bilateral meeting with
Only 37 thousand cases were received in 24 hours, for the third time after July, less than 40 thousand patients were found.
Corona cases in the country may be increasing in some states, but active cases are getting reduced due to more patients being cured than that. On Monday, only 37 thousand 164 cases came, 41 thousand
Earthquake in Delhi: Earth shook for the second consecutive day in Delhi, an earthquake of 2.7 magnitude
Earthquake tremors have been felt once again in the capital Delhi at 4.42 pm on Wednesday. Let us inform you that earthquake tremors have been felt in Delhi for the second consecutive day. The
Virat is better than Rahul in the opening: KL is scoring runs in 2022 at a strike rate of 122, while opening Kohli's average is more than 50
Ever since Virat Kohli scored 122 runs in the opening match against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, the discussion has started as to who will be Rohit Sharma's partner in the upcoming T20 World Cup - KL
India Vs Maldives: Second core group meeting between India and Maldives today, discussion will be held on the withdrawal of Indian troops.
The second core group meeting between India and Maldives regarding the withdrawal of Indian troops from Maldives will be held in Delhi today. The first meeting of the Core Group was held on January 14
Weather Update Today: There will be snowfall in the mountains, and fear of cold waves is troubling people; Know the latest forecast from IMD
Now the cold is continuously increasing in all the states of North India including Delhi. The temperature continues to fall in many states of North India including UP, Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand,