Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) The West Bengal government Monday scrapped the proposed IT township projects involving companies like Infosy and Wipro at Rajarhat near here following allegations that the land had been forcibly and illegally acquired.
“The government does not want to be involved in any illegal activity,” the state IT department said in a statement.

“At this moment, we are unable to stick to our assurances of providing land to Wipro and Infosys and thereby constrained to inform them about the government’s inability,” the statement added.

The proposed IT township at Rajarhat near Salt Lake had become controversial in recent weeks following allegations that land sharks - allegedly backed by developers Vedic Realty - had been involved in acquisition of plots there.

Webel, the state-owned IT agency has partnered with Vedic Realty to get land for the 1,600-acre IT project.

Both Infosys and Wipro have sought 90 acres from the state government for their ventures. Even ITC Infotech was eyeing for space in the IT hub.

“When the government failed to provide land and accommodate IT companies, a private company on its own initiative contacted Infosys and offered them land in the area close to airport and Rajarhat New Town,” the statement said without naming Vedic Realty.

“Infosys visited the area a number of times and agreed to take the land and come here provided the government was involved in the project,” it added.

“The company also engaged the renowned architect of the country, Hafeez Contractor, whose services are extensively used by Infosys also for their projects.”

Just about a month back, West Bengal IT Minister Debesh Das asserted that the state government had already acquired around 200 acres for the proposed IT township.