I would like to invite ‘fighting’ people who always keeping themselves in media
highlights pl. come in Uttar Pradesh where Mayavati government has decided to
acquire 65 thousand hectare land for the construction of 8 lane highway known
as ‘Ganga Expressway’ from Noida to Balia for the so-called comprehensive
development. It means the project will not be confined up to 65 hectare only;
more acquirement of land would be needed after the highway construction. The
proposed land is known for its fertility and more than five million people are
dependent for their livelihood. Farmers are not ready to give up their land for
the same. This project was handing over to JP industries and expected cost is
about forty thousand carores.
How do you define it? Is it progressive entrepreneurship? Are you looking any
difference between Ganga expressway and Singur project?
Tata has withdrawn from west Bengal and reached a safer place in Gujarat. Nano
is expected to come on road till March. But the people of Bengal are feeling
defeated. They have lost about ten thousand employment opportunity and
livelihood of more than that. As you are aware friend that agricultural
development of Bengal is stagnant and no industry is surviving since long. Due
to the lack of employment opportunity and livelihood options Bengal is facing
severe crisis in recent days. While no waste land exists in west Bengal…what
should be option for the industrial development, so that people can get jobs?
There is no space for debate on agriculture vs industry. But certainly, it is
the matter of debate why agriculture is declining and industries are coming at
the cost of agriculture. Say…what is option for Bengali people after Tata?
I am also of the opinion that manufacturing and industry should not be promoted
at the cost of agriculture. It would be suicidal for the country like India,
where more than 65% people are still dependent on agriculture and rest also
getting bread and butter. I feel there should be a justiciable ratio between
agriculture and industry. Both should be complementary to each other. But how
it is possible?
Agrarian sector is forced to decline. Farmers are committing suicide and
marginal farmers are converting into landless laborers due to increasing input
crisis. Now, Multinational companies and corporate are acquiring farmer’s land
at huge level. I don’t want to initiate any debate here on the issue of WTO,
GMO, market access for Indian farmers and India’s agricultural policy. I hope
you might know the fact about pathetic situation of agrarian sector.
I think, time has come to conclude our debate on the issue of alternative
paradigm for India’s development keeping common man in the centrality.
In my opinion, withdrawal of Tata form West Bengal is neither victory of people
nor defeat of state. It has opened the door for debate on the issue of India’s
development…and we should take it forward.
Ambarish Rai
President, Lok Sangharsh Morcha
