Author: Jaideep Mazumdar
Publication: Outlook
Date: September 12, 2005
URL: http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20050912&fname=Buddha+%28F%29&sid=3
Are the Communists in India changing colour?
The West Bengal CM explains why there is no dichotomy between his position
and his party's.
Are the Communists in India changing colour?
Many would nod yes, going by what West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had
to say last fortnight about FDI, economic reforms and globalisation. But in
this interview to Jaideep Mazumdar, Bhattacharya explains there is no dichotomy
between his position and his party's. Excerpts:
Q.: Your statements in Singapore and Jakarta
have created the impression that your agenda for West Bengal's development
is different from the CPI(M)'s economic policies.
Not at all. I never said anything new or different. I spoke of the need to
attract foreign investments.
A.: But we, the CPI(M) and the Left parties, have our own criteria on this.
We're not in favour of allowing FDIs in all sectors.
Q.: What are these criteria?
A.: There are three. One, there has to be transfer of technology. Second,
the project has to ensure development of productive forces and third, it should
not be against local industry's or the local economy's interests. If these
criteria are fulfilled, the people will benefit from FDI. I welcome foreigners
and MNCs to invest in Bengal and when they send us their proposals, these
criteria are strictly applied before we give the green signal.
Q.: You said in Singapore that you would welcome
100 per cent FDI in new ports and airports. Isn't this against your party's
line?
A.: What I said was we need a second airport in Calcutta. And this can come
up with foreign participation since it will translate into transfer of expertise.
But the government of India's policy is to allow only 49 per cent FDI in such
projects. So how can I ask for 100 per cent FDI in an airport project?
Q.: You also spoke in favour of FDI in the
retail sector, but your party is vehemently opposed to this.
A.: I'm also opposed to FDI in the retail sector. I spoke to M.S. Swaminathan
recently and was told how FDI in the retail sector would harm our interests.
Yes, a Singapore company has proposed to set up a mega shopping centre in
Calcutta, the biggest in India. But honestly, I'm more interested in investments
in the manufacturing sector like two-wheelers, car tyres etc. These investments
will involve transfer of technology, will provide jobs to thousands and will
benefit us.
Q.: Is there a dichotomy between your view
and that of your party on globalisation?
A.: None whatsoever. I've said what everyone else in my party has been saying.
We cannot stop the process of globalisation. We have to embrace it. But we
don't need to embrace it without conditions that will protect our own interests.
We cannot allow unrestricted entry of MNCs at the cost of our own industry.
We have to provide level playing fields to our own industrialists, our own
manufacturers, our producers, out agriculturists, our entrepreneurs.
Q.: But aren't there much reservations over
your proposal to hand over farmlands for industrial and commercial use?
A.: I don't understand what the fuss is all about. We're very clear on this.
We will not allow acquisition of fertile cropland. We will not allow contract
farming. Sixty five per cent of our people are dependent on agriculture and
are we mad that we will sacrifice their interests? Only non-fertile and fallow
lands will be converted for industrial and commercial use. All the landowners
will be compensated adequately and will be rehabilitated.
Q.: Did the controversy arise because you
were inking a deal with the Salem group that's close to President Suharto
and had got farmers forcibly evicted for a project in Indonesia?
A.: I want investment. Money has no colour or nationality. As long as it is
not money from smugglers or black money, I have no problems getting it for
West Bengal. We cannot dwell in the past. Look at China.Does it have any problems
accepting investments from capitalist countries? Does Vietnam not want American
capital?
Q.: You welcome FDI, you have no problems
with accepting loans from the ADB or other such bodies and you support restructuring
PSUs. How are your views different from the Congress'?
A.: I can only talk for myself. We realise the need to accept loans from multilateral
agencies, but our only condition is that there should be no strings attached.
We will not allow any agency we take a loan from to dictate terms to us. We
are for restructuring only sick PSUs, not ones that make profits. In Bengal,
we've first tried to revive sick PSUs and only when such efforts have failed
have we sold them off to private parties.
Q.: Have Communists in India undergone an
ideological change?
A.: Change is constant. Marxism is a science and not a dogma. We have to keep
pace with the changing times, we have to reform and perform or perish. I believe
we cannot stick to old principles. China has changed. We also have to change
and we are changing. But in this process of transformation, our commitment
to protecting the interests of the poor of the country, the downtrodden and
the marginalised will not change.
