-The Telegraph
While answering questions, he underlined the complexities involved in preparing a bill that would be acceptable to all sections of society. He said the proposed ban on acquisition of multi-crop irrigated land was opposed by Punjab and Haryana, too.
“It has been said that multi-crop irrigated land would not be acquired at any cost. But opposition is coming from states like Punjab and Haryana. Many persons in West Bengal have said the proportion of multi-crop irrigated land in the state is high. They have said if you ban acquisition of multi-crop irrigated land it will create a lot of difficulties,” Ramesh said.
Outside the House, Ramesh refrained from specifying who in Bengal was opposed to the proposed bar on acquisition of multi-crop irrigated land. Asked about Punjab and Haryana, he said the states were against the proposal.
Both the states have vast tracts of fertile land and are part of the country’s bread basket region in the north.
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and her party, the Trinamul Congress, are strongly opposed to acquisition of multi-crop land for industry. Ramesh recently met Mamata in Calcutta to discuss the proposed law.
He said he hoped to bring the bill in the current monsoon session but could not give an assurance on the time frame. “I hope to bring it in the current session,” Ramesh said in reply to a question.
To another question he said: “I cannot promise to bring it before September 8. I don’t want to hurry it since it is a serious issue.”