December 13, 2010
Mamata hits out at CPM over land protests
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Sunday hit out at the CPM, criticising the land stir against her ministry. About 630 acres, between Sankrail and Abada stations was smoothly acquired in 1982 for a pittance. On Sunday, Mamata, at the open session of the National Federation of Indian Railwaymen’s (RFIR) 26th convention at Gulmohar Railway Stadium near Howrah station alleged that CPM was raising a hue and cry about any railway project on the pretext that the “land is being sold offâ€. “If they raise such questions, how will work get done? This is no privatisation bid, the railways is setting up its own projects and not giving it to private hands. CPM is trying to mislead people and create confusion,†she said. Mamata said she went ahead with projects only after discussions with both unions — RFIR, which is affiliated to the Intuc and the All India Railway Federation (AIRF), the one with political affiliations outside the Intuc. As she inaugurated the Gulmohar Railway sports complex, she also sharply attacked “a section of railway employees†who were hand in glove with outsiders to sabotage the railways. “There is a small section of railway employees among the total 14 lakh employees, who are trying to sabotage the railways — either by delaying trains, passing on misinformation, or opening pandrol clips,†she said. She warned these employees and said they would be unmasked and punished. “I am ready to fight politically with anyone who challenges me politically. But why sabotage and put lives of innocent passengers at stake?†she asked, adding that the Indian Railways was not only the country’s lifeline but also a symbol of national integration. She said the railways is going to fill up 1.67 lakh new posts and another 60,000 which will fall vacant due to retirement. “Notification for these is being issued, and examinations will be held in regional languages,†she said. Ms. Banerjee also announced that a train — Technology Express — which will connect cities with IITs, which is being planned.
Courtesy: The Times of India
Image Courtesy: Sambad Pratidin
