TNN | Updated: Jul
16, 2019, 6:36 IST
KOLKATA: The state
is set to allot a five-acre plot in New Town for a research centre in memory of
former chief minister and CPM patriarch
Jyoti Basu, raising eyebrows in political
circles as many see the government decision as Mamata Banerjee’s bid to reach out to the Left and secular
forces. Papers for the land allocation were ready during the Left Front regime in
2010, but the deal got stuck in 2011 when Trinamool came to power.
Sources in the state
secretariat said the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) was
instructed to bring out the old files and give sanction to the plot. “The
proposal will be placed before the state cabinet and the allotment letter will
be issued once it is formally approved,” said an official.
Located in the
central business district, the centre will be built beside the upcoming High
Court complex.
According to
officials, the Left front government had sanctioned a five-acre plot to a trust
for setting up a centre where people would get a glimpse of different items
used by Basu and have a library to conduct research. There were plans to have an auditorium and hold workshops
and seminars as well.
The trust paid about Rs 5 crore to the government and an allotment
letter was issued. However, the process to hand over the plot got stuck in
2011.
The CPM state committee had then sought the plot from the Mamata
Banerjee government, but no initiative was taken to proceed with the proposal. “The
land which they were holding back was sanctioned and the money was paid during
the Left Front government’s time,” said CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty.
