Bengal: 1,200 acres given to 13 cos

West Bengal government on Thursday handed over nearly 1,200 acres of land to 13 companies in three industrial estates across the state.

Three companies, DPSC Limited, Jai Balaji and Shyam Steel were given 155, 325 and 610 acres, respectively, in Raghunathpur Steel & Allied Industrial Park in Purulia.

For Jai Balaji, the state had already handed over 1,130 acres earlier.

Tractors India, Megatherm Transmission and Distribution were given 104 and 10 acres respectively in Vidyasagar Industrial Park in Kharagpur.

In Sahachowk Industrial Area in Kharagpur, Mittal Ferrocast and Radix Electrocast were given 11.92 acres and four acres, respectively.

Five other companies were given land in Rishi Bankim Shipaudyan in Naihati (North 24 Parganas) and Salt Lake.

One company was given space at Manikanchan SEZ in Salt Lake. State Industry Minister Nirupam Sen said at the hand over ceremony that total investment which would be made in all the projects would be around Rs 23,195 crore (Rs 231.95 billion) and would generate direct and indirect employment to 41,000 people.

He said that the state industry department had developed the Bengal model for land acquisition and compensation.

Under the model, the landowners, share-croppers and agricultural workers would get suitable compensation and rehabilitation packages.