The Bengal government has decided to take back plots allotted to set up industries that were not used within the timeframe and use them for distributing pattas among the landless if it is found that the land was unsuitable for industries.

According to sources, the state government wants to re-allot the plots to other investors who have shown interest. In case it is found that any plot is not suitable for setting up an industry, the state government will distribute pattas of the plots to the landless.

“Hundreds of acres were allotted to different agencies to set up industries throughout the state over the past few years. But it has been found that many of the plots lay unused. The state wants to use the plots properly,” said a senior state government official.

Usually, land is allotted to industrialists with a precondition that it will be used within a period of three years. Over the past few years, the state government has extended the timeframe on several occasions.

“But still, it has been found that a large number of plots were being used by the investors. Now, the state government is firm on using the plots properly,” said a senior bureaucrat.

Chief secretary H.K. Dwivedi asked authorities concerned to make a list of plots allotted for industries where nothing was done within the given timeframe.

“The land and land reforms department or industries department will serve a notice to agencies which did not use the land within the timeframe by February 15, mentioning that the state will take back the land,” said a source.

There are two reasons for this step, sources said.

First, the state needs industries to generate more jobs as chief minister Mamata Banerjee promised to generate about 1 crore jobs in Bengal in the next few years. Without industries, creating so many jobs is not possible.

“If unused plots can go to new investors, there is a chance of new industries coming up,” said a source.

Second, the state needs huge tracts of land to distribute pattas to the landless.

During a recent survey on the eligibility of beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, it was found that over 1 lakh people did not qualify as they did not own plots to build homes under the scheme.

The state government decided to give them pattas (long-term settlement rights) on government land for their inclusion under the scheme.

“This needs a handsome quantum of land. Hence, if some plots are found unsuitable for industries, they can be used for this purpose,” said a source.