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Deb had sought intervention of Banerjee to put an end to the agitation by her followers that resulted in obstruction of power supply in the township.
Sen, who was inducted as the power minister after the death of Mrinal Banerjee, blamed that the current power situation was deficient for two reasons — shortage of coal wagon and non-implementation of several power projects including setting up of sub-stations due to protests against land acquisition.
He, however, does not want to refer such cases to Banerjee for a solution. “Her land policy is not based on real situation. I do not feel that a meeting with her will help us,” said Sen, when asked whether he will follow Deb’s stance.
Sen said it is not possible for the power department to install sub-stations where land is available; such sub-stations will be set up where they are required. There are obstructions from local people at Hooghly, Howrah, East Midnapore and North 24-Parganas. Earlier they have opposed land acquisition for the Katwa power plant.
Banerjee had recently announced that no farm land could be used for any other purpose — be it industry or other developmental work. Even railway tracks will be diverted if farmers are against giving their land.
“Is it possible? We require land in Hoogly to set up a sub-station, but land is available in Purulia, can we shift the station? This is a false land policy. No government can follow such policy. If we are not in power, others may come, but would they follow such a land policy?” asked Sen.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Partho Chatterjee, meanwhile, said a section of the Left Front leaders are also against acquiring farm land for projects. If the farmers are not willing how can land be acquired from them, Chatterjee said. “Sen should talk to Minister of Land and Land Reforms Abdur Rezzak Mollah first. Mollah also has said that an acre farm land will not be acquired for any purpose. Why Sen is blaming the Trinamool, he should understand the reality from Mollah,” said Chatterjee.
