In an attempt to outdo West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee promised jobs to a member from each family who will lose land during acquisition by the railways.
Banerjee?s statement comes at a time when the Planning commission is looking at several models for compensation during the land acquisition process.
?We have taken a policy decision that the ministry will give employment to a member from the each family losing land during the acquisition process,? Banerjee said at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Bagnan-Amta new broad gauge line.
While she did not elaborate on the changes in the Railway Act 1989 in the offing to accommodate her ministry’s decision, she said that the ministry is working out a package for land losers. ?I have changed the rules a month back,? she said.
She also said that the ministry will directly negotiate with land owners during the acquisition process and will acquire only after they agree.
?We have clearly said that land will not be acquired forcefully. We have made amendments to the existing rules. Rail will directly negotiate with the land owners,? she said.
Making an oblique remark to the land acquisition process by the West Bengal government, Banerjee said, ?unlike thousands of acres at Singur and Nandigram, Railways needs small patches of land. I don?t want much land. Even then if we find people do not agree we will change the route.?
Not forgetting her poll pitch with assembly polls due next year, she hinted that the unemployment problem in the state will be dealt with if her party is voted to power.
“We have only railway department while the state government has lots of departments to generate employment. We are trying to do as much as possible. Wait for a year and it will be solved,? she said.