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— Sushanta Patronobish

The West Bengal Governor, Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi, addressing a press conference after the meeting of the State Government and Trinamool Congress on the Singur issue at Raj Bhawan in Kolkata on Saturday.

Our Bureau

Kolkata, Sept. 6 A solution to the vexed issue of land acquisition in Singur for the Tata small car project may well lie in a “land-based rehabilitation scheme in and around the Singur project site” for those whose land has been acquired for the Tata venture.

Briefing newspersons at the end of two rounds of discussions that was held on Saturday on the issue between panels representing the State Government and the Trinamool Congress, the Governor of West Bengal, Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi, said “both panels had the opportunity to go into greater detail for a land-based rehabilitation scheme in and around the Singur project site”.

Mr Gandhi said the discussions were marked by “frankness and cordiality” and expressed hope that it would lead to a “satisfactory conclusion” on Sunday or on Monday. All parties were seriously engaged in “resolving the issue”, he said.

It is learnt that Saturday’s discussions delved into the possibility of the State Government conceding around 47 acres owned by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation within the plant site to the land losers for setting up a market complex with a view to facilitating their economic rehabilitation. In addition, some land around the Singur project site may also be given to the land losers. Of interest is the fact that the 400 acres, whose return to “unwilling farmers” has been demanded by the Trinamool Congress, is not in one block.

The State Government has gone on record saying that the beneficiaries of whatever compensation or rehabilitation package now agreed upon would include those farmers who have handed over their land willingly and have also accepted their compensation cheques.

Asked after the meeting if the talks were positive, Mr Partha Chatterjee of the Trinamool Congress and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly said: “I do not say that the talks were negative.”

Mr Kalyan Banerjee, Legal Advisor of the Trinamool Congress, said “the situation is improving”.

The ruling Left Front will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the matter. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, is also slated to meet the Governor on Sunday. The Governor has urged Ms Mamata Banerjee to join the talks.

More Stories on : New Projects | Politics | Cars | Tata Motors Ltd

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