The Hindu : National : There will be no forcible land acquisition: Mamata

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There will be no forcible land acquisition: Mamata

Ananya Dutta

Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA: Bringing to the fore again issues such as sabotage and forcible land acquisition, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday promised jobs, among “other rewards,” to those who informed the authorities about subversive activities that could result in accidents as well as for people whose land is to be acquired for laying railway track.

“There will be no forcible land acquisition by the railways,” Ms. Banerjee declared.

Ms. Banerjee was laying the foundation for constructing a double line from Nalikul to Tarakeswar in West Bengal’s Hooghly district.

“If employees of the railways report their suspicions and it turns out to be a genuine case, a promotion or other rewards, including employment for their family, will be given,” she said.

While repeatedly referring to the agitation against alleged forcible land acquisition in Singur in 2006-08, she said adequate compensation would be given to those from whom land was taken. In places where acquisition of land was critical, a job in the railways would be given to a family member in addition to the compensation amount.

The Railways was looking at alternatives so that there would be no need to acquire land for the Eastern dedicated freight corridor project also.

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