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.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the One Rank One Pension (OROP) policy applicable to retire
US GDP: US GDP shrank for the second consecutive quarter, and fears of recession
US News: Earlier this month, President Joe Biden said that the US economy is not heading towards
The Indian team will take on Hong Kong in the Asia Cup today, after clearing the account of the l
Mumbai
Amid the threat of the Corona epidemic, the Maharashtra government
US President Donald Trump is taking strict action against illegal immigration. The Trump administ
Scotland showed strong character in defeat: Skipper Mommsen
Dunedin, Feb 17 (IANS) Scotland skipper Preston Mommsen has said he is impressed with the fight
Government not serious enough on black money: Jethmalani
New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Former law minister and veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani Thursday said th
Big news for the candidates who appeared in the Company Secretary June 2023 examinations. CS Prof
Maharashtra's Agriculture Minister Abdul Sattar held a closed-door meeting with Congress veteran
Mumbai to be branded Science City
Mumbai, Jan 2 (IANS) The five-day 102nd Indian Science Co
