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Our Bureau

Kolkata, Sept. 1 The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, has welcomed the State Governor, Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi’s initiative to resolve the imbroglio over land acquisition in Singur for the Tata small car project.

Mr Bhattacharjee welcomed Mr Gandhi’s letter to the Trinamool Congress leader, Ms Mamata Banerjee, wherein he had suggested that an “unbiased intermediator” be engaged to help resolve the matter.

Mr Bhattacharjee told newspersons at Writers’ Buildings on Monday that he was in support of the contents of the letter that Mr Gandhi had written to Ms Banerjee. He reiterated his willingness to hold discussions with all concerned with a view to resolving the issue.

Meanwhile, construction work did not commence at the project site on Monday. “The conditions in Singur are still not conducive for resuming work today. We continue to assess the situation closely,” a statement from Tata Motors said.

On Friday, Mr Gandhi had written to Ms Banerjee and urged all stakeholders in the Singur land acquisition imbroglio to consider the “social costs” of their respective positions in the matter. Mr Gandhi had stated that “you and others of your view have been unswerving on the demand that the acquired lands of owners unwilling to part with them be returned.

The House of Tata and the State government have held their positions. Time has now come for all of us to consider the social costs of these respective positions, as different from investment costs and political implications”.

Mr Gandhi had stated that an “unbiased intermediator” with “no political or industrial affiliations” be engaged to resolve the matter. “He or she can go into the demand articulated by you and give carefully thought-out findings for the earnest consideration of all sides. If this thought is acceptable to you, please suggest a name or names. I would request the State government to respond positively”.

In the afternoon today, Trinamool Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Mr Partha Chatterjee, met the Governor for an hour. It is understood that the discussions veered round the engagement of an unbiased intermediator.

Mr Gandhi urged the Trinamool Congress to ensure compliance of a Calcutta High Court order pertaining to free movement of vehicles on National Highway No 2 in front of the Tata Motors project site in Singur.

The state administration today opened one flank of the National Highway No 2 to vehicular traffic for a few hours in the morning, before closing it once again.

Meanwhile, Ms Mamata Banerjee today said she was willing to hold talks with the Government to resolve the impasse. She, however, insisted that the agitation would continue.

In a related development, Mr V.N. Dhoot, Chairman of the Videocon Group, told newspersons at Writers’ Buildings that the Tatas should negotiate directly with farmers and resolve the matter. “The responsibility is also on the industry house. They have to settle it and they must settle it,” he said. The Videocon Group has considerable investments lined up in West Bengal.

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