labels: industry - general, economy - general
Bengal CM to stall Nandigram acquisitionnews
11 January 2007

Tension in Nandigram has subsided after West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee promised to stall land acquisition there and protect the livelihoods of displaced farmers, reports CNBC-TV18.

The chief minister's whole-hearted admission of an administrative blunder in Nandigram has helped calm raging tempers.

Besides committing to stall land acquisition till consensus was built amongst villagers of Nandigram, Bhattacharjee has assured farmers that their livelihoods would be protected.

Bhattacharjee says, "We have to make sure that displaced farmers earned more after selling their land than what they used to from agriculture. If that didn't happen, why should they let us acquire their land?"

The chief minister is now focused on setting some good examples - JSW Steel's 10-million tonne plant for instance, for which an MOU is being signed on Thursday.

The CM comments, "Jindals are giving an excellent package for rehabilitation. They'll impart training for steel plants where you don't need a great deal of technical skill. Lots of people will be employed in the steel plant after little bit of training."

Meanwhile in Nandigram where the government proposes to acquire 14,000 acres for a SEZ, the administration seems to have broken the deadlock. The police and district officials are ready to enter the disturbed interiors of the village, but not without a huge police cover.


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Bengal CM to stall Nandigram acquisition