Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh,who met West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday night,said she was apparently happy with the approach to the new land acquisition Bill. Talking to reporters after meeting the Chief Minister,Ramesh said broadly she appears to be happy with the approach to the Bill,particularly with R&R (relief and rehabilitation) package contained in it. The state would take a position on the Bill after a thorough study and will give its detailed comments,he said. Mamata,on her part,said she had no problem with the R&R policy contained in the new Bill. She said Ramesh knew that Trinamool had opposed the land bill presented earlier to the Union Cabinet as the party was against forcible acquisition of land. I have said except for building embankments or for national security,we will not allow any forcible land acquisition,Mamata said. I am also against SEZs. On the new Bill containing a provision for acquisition of land for the private sector for public purpose,she replied,I have not gone into the details. But I feel this bill has positive features.
