Roll back on industrialisation is betraying the youth: Buddha

Diptosh Majumdar
CNN-IBN



NOTHING 'LEFT' TO WORRY: The major corporate houses in the country feel Bengal is a safe place, says Buddha.
He is the man in the hottest seat right now. The West Bengal Chief Minister's job is one of the most important in the country. This job will decide the future of industrialisation in India, the right balance between industry and agriculture. CNN-IBN National Affairs Editor Diptosh Majumdar speaks to the man who is at the centre of turbulence in West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.


Diptosh Majumdar: Nandigram, Singur, then a reported incident close to Burnpur where IISCO is carrying out an expansion program. Is there a very dangerous trend in all this?


Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: This is a trend that has recently developed in the state but I think it is not the whole picture. Nandigram, Singur and the IISCO project do not fall under the same category because they are separate issues. At the same time, I would like to inform you that there are many proposals with the government, which we are discussing with the concerned parties or companies. At this moment, we are implementing some projects like three big steel projects. One in Pashcim (West) Midnapore, another in Burdwan and another in Purulia district. We are now going to set up SEZ for Videocon.


Diptosh Majumdar: But the obvious question arising is why is it being experienced only in West Bengal? There is agitation in other parts of the country but not in the same manner as West Bengal.


Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: It is unfortunate so far as Bengal is concerned. If you look at other states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, the ruling parties and opposition parties have different ideology but when the question of an important project comes up, there is complete consensus.


Diptosh Majumdar: Is it also that you have too many rehabilitation and compensation packages?


Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: It is but natural, we cannot just dictate to the companies.


Diptosh Majumdar: But do you see a ray of hope with the new proposals that are coming with better compensation packages?


Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: Yes. From the experience, we are changing our policies. The problem I was mentioning was that when we have industrialisation, we have to touch a portion of agricultural land. We are trying our best to avoid fertile land. But when we go for acquisition of land, we have to have a rehabilitation package for the land losers. In some cases, Jindal has come up with a very good proposal. They will give jobs to all land losers and their families. But the number is only 790 so it is easier for them and particularly for a steel company. But in case of Singur, there are 12,000 families. How can they give jobs to 12,000 families?


Diptosh Majumdar: There is a larger question which is the issue of education. You have said yourself that an agriculturist's son doesn't w...

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