Nandigram makes Bengal look at unlocking land from sick industry

Though some of the plots are privately owned or caught in legal wrangles, the CPIM hopes to reach a consensus8212; and get the go-ahead from allies and workers of these units.

Party leaders say even the new investors would benefit from the existing infrastructure since the land is available in the already industrialised areas like Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly and parts of Bardhaman district.

A survey undertaken by Webcon, a consultant of the West Bengal government, which surveyed 500 large and medium closed, sick or loss-makking units had found that 8220;substantial land amounting to 41, 078.588221; acres was locked in such industries.

The Board for Industrial 038; Financial Reconstruction BIFR can also throw up more hurdles. If an industry can8217;t be revived, a cell is created to oversee the sale of land and company assets through auction. 8220;Land of closed units for industrialization, as things stand now, can8217;t be the only solution. But we have to look at all the options since investors can go elsewhere,8221; a senior CPM leader said.