'Centre cannot take initiative to end Singur deadlock'
Describing the Singur issue as a 'deep-rooted' problem, External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that the Centre is not in a position to take any initiative to end the deadlock as it was a matter of the state.
By PTI |
KOLKATA : Describing the Singur issue as a 'deep-rooted' problem, External Affair minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that the Centre is not in a position to take any initiative to end the deadlock as it was a matter of the state.
''It is a deep-rooted problem. Who will invest in which state is a matter between the state government and the investor. Since it is a matter concerning the state, it is not possible for the Centre to take any initiative on this issue,'' Mukherjee told reporters here when asked if the Centre had any role here to end the Singur stalemate.
In an obvious reference to the Tatas' small car, Mukherjee said, ''The Centre is always in favour of new technology.''
''We want industrialisation. At the same time we have to protect the interests of the farmers. We have to raise food production. We have to strike a balance,'' he said.
Mukherjee said that state Congress president P R Dasmunshi had yesterday made the party line clear on the Singur issue.
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Dasmunshi had stated that the Tatas should not withdraw their small car project project from Singur and the state government provide alternate land to 'unwilling' farmers. ''We are opposed to the shift of investment made in Singur and industry to other states,'' Dasmunshi said and reiterated that the Centre would not take any responsibility in bailing out West Bengal on the issue.
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