'Development priority, but no forceful acquisition of land'

The West Bengal government was committed to expedite various urban development projects and improve municipal infrastructure, but will never go for forceful acquisition of land.
Replying to the debate on budgetary demands for grant of his departments for the year 2015-16, state's Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Firhad Hakim said development was their top priority but it would never be encouraged at the expense of forceful acquisition of land.
The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government would never allow any Singur or Nandigram like situation which had jeopardised the interest of the farmers in Bengal, Hakim said.
Also the state government would never undertake any eviction drive without taking up proper rehabilitation for the affected.

The state always given priority to the poor and accordingly 25 per cent reservation has been earmarked in urban housing and several other projects for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).
The state has undertaken a massive investment of Rs 7,116 crore to expedite various projects under Urban Development and Municipal Affairs departments.

Enumerating major projects commissioned under JNNURM in 2014-15, Hakim outlined the Water Treatment Plant at Dhapa (Rs 98.75 crore), Storm Water Drainage System for Kamarhati Municipality (Rs 67.33 crore), Water Treatment Plant at Bansberia (Rs 44.92 crore) and Elevated Corridor from Kestopur to Jora Mandir on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue (Rs 206.59 crore).

About the major projects to be taken up during 2015-16, the minister mentioned construction of pathway for pedestrians at Dakshineswar (Rs 65.16 crore) and commissioning of the iconic Giant Wheel along with development of tourism amenities in Millenium Park (Rs 300.79 crore).
The state government also scrapped the Chairman's quota of HIDCO regarding allotment of plots and received a court order in its favour, the minister said.
The TMC MLA from New Town, Sabyasachi Dutta described the 'Syndicate Raj' in the planned city as a system initiated during the erstwhile LF government, saying it would take time to stop this menace.

The minister, however, said that the syndicate raj and clashes following this have no connection to the ruling party.
Hakim also elaborated how his departments have either implemented or undertaken works for various central and state programmes to boost the entire development process.