Date:25/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/25/stories/2006082511160400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Relief package better in State than West Bengal, says Congress

Special Correspondent

Party MP Arun Kumar and others come out with a study paper citing specific instances in both States

HYDERABAD: Continuing its efforts to `expose' the alleged double standards of the CPI(M) on land acquisition in and around Hyderabad, the Congress has come out with a study paper comparing the relief and rehabilitation (R&R) packages in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

The paper, prepared by U. Arun Kumar, MP, and others, cites specific instances of how the R&R package in the State was far better than the one in the Left Front-ruled West Bengal.

While the Bengal Government was asserting that it would not go back on its decision to acquire agricultural lands for industrial development, the CPI(M) was opposing it here.

The Left Front Government was claiming that it would pay 30 per cent more than the prevailing market rate to displaced persons.

The State Government here was already implementing it and had come out with plans to provide plots to affected persons, besides giving adequate compensation.

The note questioned as to why the CPI(M) was opposing the land acquisition at a time when the Left Front was seeking the cooperation of all parties in acquiring lands for major projects in West Bengal.