Those types of challenges (like those faced by Bhattacharjee and Modi) I haven’t had to face in Haryana because when I became the chief minister and the Congress government was formed, I fixed a floor rate for the whole state. There’s therefore no confusion in land acquired or purchased by any private party. The owners get a good price.

• You remember the corridors of our college? This red carpet (points to one that has been laid out) is because of you.

It may be because of you, too.

• So you fixed a floor rate that was very high.

Yes, that’s very high. After that the main hindrance was industrial policy. We came out with a new industrial policy. Clearances were made time-bound and transparent. This was appreciated and there was no problem.

• Why does one see these pictures every few months: people with lathis, some burning a car, mainly on the National Highway 8 between Gurgaon and the Rajasthan border. Is there still some anger and resistance?

No, landowners are not angry.

• So who are these people?

As far as the Haryana government is concerned, it has formulated a land-acquisition policy but not itself acquired a single acre for any private concern, SEZ or otherwise.

• Then who are these people who come and protest?

... contd.