In a proposal to the state government, the CRPF had sought the allotment of 40 to 50 acres of land in and around Kolkata free of cost to raise a Mahila Battalion for West Bengal and the eastern region. The proposal came from DIG (CRPF) G K Datta, Eastern Region, who on behalf of IG (CRPF), Eastern Region, wrote to Chief Secretary Ardhendu Sen on April 30.

“The MHA has approved the project. And since the battalion will be mainly used for the eastern region we urge you to give us the land free of cost,” the letter read.

Even as a CRPF spokesman in Delhi said they were keen on the project since the CRPF does not have any training centre in West Bengal, state land department officials say land cannot be given for free and cited the example of the NSG that has purchased 600 acres for its training centre in the state.

Minister for Land and Land Reforms Abdur Rezzaq Mollah today ruled out the possibility of giving land. “It is not possible. Land cannot be given free of cost,” Mollah told The Indian Express.

A state official reasoned: “How can we take money from the NSG and give the land to CRPF for free? And that too land around Kolkata comes for a premium.”

The state police, however, see the case as an opportunity lost by the government.

“It will not only create a better security environment but will also add to the economy of the area. I have strongly recommended the project,” said DGP Bhupinder Singh, while adding: “It was a great proposal and should have been accepted.”

Senior police officers explain the state government could have given the land.

“There are instances of people like Saurav Ganguly getting land at cheap rates. The state government often asks the Centre for CRPF personnel. A battalion stationed in the state would have been of great help. Other states would lap up such a proposal,” said an officer.

Home Secretary Samar Ghosh, however, expressed ignorance on the issue.