The Hindu Business Line : Singur: Buddhadeb ready for talks on rehabilitation

The Trinomool Congress chief, Ms Mamata Benerjee, in conversation with the BJP President, Mr Rajnath Singh, as they protest against the acquisition of land in Singur by the West Bengal Government for the Tata car project. - Sushanta Patronobish

Kolkata , Dec. 4

Even as West Bengal braces for its second bandh in five days on the issue of acquisition of farmland at Singur for the Tata small car project, the Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has reiterated that the decision to hand-over land to Tata Motors would not be revoked at any cost. He, however, said the State Government would be willing to discuss with individual political parties issues of rehabilitation and resettlement of those whose land had been acquired.

Tomorrow's 24-hour bandh has been called given by the Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) and has been supported by the Trinamool Congress.

Speaking to newspersons at Writers' Buildings here, Mr Bhattacharjee said that there would be no change in the Government's decision to hand over land at Singur to the Tatas. Discussions with Opposition parties would be restricted to resettlement and rehabilitation of those whose farmland has been acquired for the Tata small car project. Talks in this regard were held today with a few leaders from the Congress.

The Trinamool Congress is yet to respond to Mr Bhattacharjee's call for talks on resettlement and rehabilitation issues. The party's leader, Ms Mamata Banerjee, today launched an indefinite fast in the Dharamtala area after the expiry of her 24-hour deadline that she had issued yesterday for halting fencing work at Singur. "Through you (the media), I wish to appeal to the Trinamool Congress to come to the table for discussions", Mr Bhattacharjee said.

According to him, the Tata Group Chairman, Mr Ratan Tata, had been informed that the fencing work would be over in the next 3-4 days and the Tatas should get ready to take possession of the land. Meanwhile, the police today arrested and released Mr Rajnath Singh, the BJP chief, who was on his way to Singur. Social activist Ms Medha Patkar was also not allowed to go to Singur today. She was, instead, sent to a guesthouse at Dankuni.