Bengal University Requests Amartya Sen’s Approval for Survey Over Land Grab Charge

GG News Bureau

Kolkata, 10th Feb. After sending two letters to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen alleging that he is occupying parts of land leased to his family in an “unauthorized manner,” Visva-Bharati University has announced that it will conduct a joint survey of the land with the economist’s side.

The central university requested a suitable date and time for the exercise from the economist in a statement.

“With reference to our earlier letters, this is to inform you that the university wants to survey/demarcate jointly the land mutated in your favour for the residual period of lease as per lease deal executed on October 27, 1943 vide resolution no 8 dated September 3, 2006 of the executive council of Visva Bharati and communicated to you on October 31, 2006,” the letter stated on Thursday.

The university expects that it will take two days to complete the survey required to clear the air.

Visva-Bharati claims Sen is in possession of 1.38 acres of land, which exceeds his entitlement of 1.25 acres. The charge was repeatedly denied by the economist.

Sen’s side has yet to respond to this proposal for a joint survey.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supported the economist last week, handing over land-related documents to the octogenarian during a visit to Birbhum district.