MCC Chamber seeks land acquisition ceiling for industrial projects raised in Bengal.

MCC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, a local industry body, has sought extension of the upper ceiling of acquisition of land privately by an investor for an industrial project to 50 acres from the current 24 acres.

Arun Kumar Saraf, the new president of the chamber, said at a media briefing that MCC submitted a request to the State Government on this tenuous issue of land acquisition for industrial units.

He said, Even for a medium size unit, 24 acres were not enough because the Central laws mandated that an industrial project should leave one third of project land area for a buffer zone for environment protection. It would be pragmatic on the part of the State to raise the ceiling to at least 50 acres.

Saraf felt that the streamline the land regulations so that the privately acquired land by an industrial entrepreneur was smoothly converted into a new status. 'In case of a transfer of ownership, particularly the issue of bargadar or the non-owner farmer of the land, should be handled simultaneously', he pointed out.

He has also requested the West Bengal Government to implement the Central Government's legal provision for mandatory use of jute bags in procured food grains in the State. 'State Government’s involvement is also required in terms of packaging potato in jute bags. Both could create a demand of around 4 lakh bales of jute bags', MCC Chamber president added.

The Chamber proposes to submit a comprehensive strategy document for accelerating the industrial training to the State's youth in sync with existing vocational skilling institute. 'On-the-job training can be arranged in the manufacturing plants of our members and other Chamber constituents', he said.

MCC Chamber is looking into the possibility of adopting a village in South 24 Pargansas and turn it into a 'smart village.' The Chamber, in association with the State and Central Governments, plans to provide primary education, sanitation infrastructure, drinking water, vocational training and assistance to farming in that village.

It is also preparing a blueprint for making available agricultural input and implements and application of bio-technology in selected areas of fruits, vegetables, milk production in the State. This paper would be prepared in consultations with Bidhan Chandra Agriculture University in the State.


HBL