CPI(M) pushes West Bengal SEZ model

Press Trust Of India / Kolkata October 13, 2006



The CPI(M) on October 8 demanded that the Centre should adopt the West
Bengal model on Special Economic Zone which stipulates segregated use of
the land for various purposes, including industrialisation and housing.

"We have submitted an alternative proposal to the Central government
asking it to modify the SEZ Act and its rules and procedures in line
with the West Bengal model where 50 per cent was reserved for industry
and processing, 25 per cent for industry-related infrastructure and the
rest for real estate development and housing", Biman Bose, chairman of
the West Bengal ruling Left front told us here.

He said the West Bengal model on SEZs had been accepted by the party's
central committee.

Asked to comment on Trinamool threat to oppose any move to set up SEZs
on agricultural land in West Bengal, Bose said "those who do not believe
in development activities will oppose everything that will be in the
interest of the state".

He said in West Bengal there was a rehabilitation package for the
displaced persons and landlosers were adequately compensated for the
loss of their land.

He said that in other states large tracts of land were given to
promoters for multi-product SEZs and added that in those cases land was
acquired from farmers without giving them due compensation or provisions
for livelihood.

"Even in Singur in Hooghly district in West Bengal, where the Tata
Motors car project is to come up, the economic package has been drawn up
for the landlosers", he said.
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