This refers to the editorial, “Bad precedent in Bengal” (September 2). Development can never be achieved at the expense of the interest of the common man. Were the farmers not part of the publicIJ Why were they hounded out from their fertile land and livelihoodIJ Just to pamper the privileged at the expense of the marginalised rural poorIJ As far as the process of acquisition is concerned, private players should not be allowed to deal with farmers directly as the latter can be exploited economically. The Government must act as an intermediary and see to it that land losers are compensated handsomely with money and secured jobs in the upcoming industrial project.
The Singur episode cannot act as an obstacle for the development of West Bengal. Today's modern industrial units hardly create jobs. Moreover, the Nano unit would not have benefited the people as industrialists rarely recruit the sons of the soil. Rather, the eastern State already exists as the El Dorado of India and the proof of it lies in the constant migration of people to West Bengal.