A few ministers on the committee told The Statesman that the committee, comprising ministers from all Left Front allies, would lay stress on pro-people policies rather than setting up of industries till the next Assembly polls scheduled for 2011.

They also said the shift in stance was needed after the Left parties witnessed a setback in last year's panchayat polls and recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. They also feel acquisition of farmland for setting up of industries was the main reason behind the debacle of the Left parties in the recent elections. And now, pro-people policies can be the weapon to win back the confidence of the people.

A minister, who is a member of the core committee, said: "Primarily, it has been decided that the state government would lay stress on some programmes which are directly involved with the everyday life of common people. For example, stress would be laid on programmes like National Rural Employment Guarantee Act where the state could provide only 18 days of work on an average. We have to improve the figure as the project has a direct impact on the rural populace."

Source: The Statesman State set to shelve policy on industrialisation until polls