While agriculture in the state is important, the need for industrial growth and an ambience in its support is equally important. Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi has said in his Republic Day message.

Gandhi, expressing his concern over the tussle between agriculture and industrialisation, has stated that the "government is fully aware of the critical situation of agriculture in our state. There are those who, in recent times, have opposed certain steps in the direction of industrialisation. But even they do not dispute the importance of industrial growth as such".

The Governor said that it is imperative for us to maintain a balance, and to ascertain the right path and the appropriate implementation process. "A long term norm should be evolved for land-use and land-conversion and towards a planned distribution of land between agriculture and industry. What is imperative in this direction is social negotiation. And this social negotiation has to be transparent, sincere and inclusive," Gandhi has said.

Gandhi has further highlighted chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's repeated attempts at involving the Opposition for discussions over the land acquisition issue: "Our honourable chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has repeatedly said he is prepared for discussions. Opposition leaders on their part have said to me that they are also prepared to sit for a dialogue. They do have some pre-conditions. Even these, I believe, should be a subject for discussion. The lowest rung, i.e. the gram panchayats, should be enlisted in this process of social negotiation," Gandhi has said.

"Our chief minister has taken appropriate step by initiating a CBI enquiry into the death of Tapasi Malik at Singur. In this context, I also convey my deep sympathy for those who so meaninglessly lost their lives at East Midnapore on the night of January 6 and 7," said the Governor in the message.