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Mamata welcomes Infosys, but denies SEZ status

Amid uproar over the allocation of 155 coal acreages between 2004 and 2009 to some 100 companies, NDTV talks to chairman and managing director of NTPC, Arup Roy Choudhury about the scam and future plans of the power producer.

Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai, left, listens to former-CEO Howard Stringer | Source: AP
Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai, left, listens to former-CEO Howard Stringer | Source: AP

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday assured Infosys of assistance in setting up its unit in the state, but reiterated her government's stand of not allowing SEZ status to the IT major.

Replying to the debate on the Governor's address, the chief minister said it was her government's policy not to allow SEZ status and she could not change the decision.


Stating that there was a land policy, Banerjee said her government was against forcible land acquisition and had set up a land bank to protect the interest of farmers.

The chief minister attacked the previous Left government for resorting to forcible land acquisition, and said in the last 10 months, the new government had made best effort to restore farmers' rights.


Making a reference to the land movement in Singur and Nandigram Banerjee said she would not forget the martyrs and those who contributed to the resistance against farmland acquisition.


Stating that she saluted the martyrs of Tebhaga movement launched by the Left parties in the 40s to secure farmers' rights over farmland, Banerjee urged the CPI(M) and Left Front constituents to show respect to the martyrs of the land movements in Singur and Nandigram.