West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeee today said her government will not allow setting up of a chemical hub at Nandigram or Nayachar, and promote only eco-friendly projects there to encourage "development without pollution".
"My government will not allow a chemical hub either at Nayachar Island or Nandigram. We are planning to promote environment-friendly eco-tourism at Nayachar and eco-friendly industry at Nandigram to encourage development without pollution," the Chief Minister told a rally here in East Midnapore district.
"I have never forgotten Nandigram. Singur-Nandigram have been milestones in my life," Banerjee said adding "I can never forget the sacrifices made by people of Nandigram. We can never forget the atrocities in the name of sunrise."
She said the "atrocities" carried out in Nandigram were a "dark chapter" in the history of Bengal and her government would never allow them to repeat.
"I am happy to be back in Nandigram. Stay safe, stay healthy," she said.
Earlier the Chief Minister visited Nayachar with several company heads to explore the place as a possible eco-tourism destination.
Banerjee urged the captains of industry to submit their proposals or opinions within four days about how the island could be developed.
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The CM would attend an administrative meeting in Digha
tomorrow and launch the helicopter service from Digha to Kolkata a day after before returning to Kolkata by helicopter.
Banerjee assured people of building a Martyr's Memorial and a Cultural Convention Centre at Nandigram.
Ensuring food for all, Banerjee said that from January 27, 2016, 7 crore people in Bengal would get rice at Rs 2 per kg.
Stating that 100 per cent coverage has been achieved for mid-day meal and rural electrification in East Midnapore, she said that 30 lakh girls have already been registered under Kanyashree scheme.
"We have approved Ghatal Master Plan for flood prevention in the entire area," she said adding an allocation of Rs 10 crore by her government for a new higher secondary school at Nandigram.
"Despite all the financial hardships, the amount of work we have done in the last four years is unmatched," chief minister said regretting that the state was yet to achieve financial freedom.
"We increased our revenues but Centre takes away major share of our taxes," she added.
Banerjee either inaugurated or laid the foundation stone of a bouquet of projects in East Midnapore district on the occasion, besides giving away financial and other benefits to people under various projects. Students got bicycles under Sabuj Sathi scheme.
