The Hindu Business Line : Singur: Differences over amount of land to be returned to ‘unwilling’ farmers

Kolkata, Sept. 10 The impasse over land acquisition in Singur for the Tata small car project is far from resolved, with the West Bengal Government and the Trinamool Congress continuing to be at variance over the amount of land that can be returned to “unwilling farmers” from within the project area.

The differences in this regard can be attributed to contrary interpretations to the statement issued by the Governor of the State, Mr Gopal Krishna Gandhi, on Sunday, after the conclusion of the second round of talks between the Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, and Trinamool Congress leader, Ms Mamata Banerjee.

‘Maximum’ versions

In his statement, the Governor had said “the Government has taken a decision to respond to the demands of those farmers who have not received compensation, by means of land to be provided to the maximum within the project area and the rest in adjacent areas as early as possible”.

The Trinamool Congress, which has been demanding the return of 400 acres of land, has construed the word “maximum” as being 300 acres, or close to it.

The State government’s stand has been that maximum amount of land from within the project area could be returned only after ensuring the “integrated nature of the auto cluster comprising the mother plant and the vendor park”. This would translate to the return of around 40 acres of land within the project area. Another 50 acres of land from within the project site may also be offered to the “unwilling farmers”.

Spot assessment

Meanwhile, the four-member committee set up by the State government to facilitate resolution of the issue on Wednesday went around the plant site in Singur for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. It will meet again on Thursday to take the process forward.

Mr Rabindranath Bhattacharjee, Chairman of the Committee and a Trinamool Congress MLA representing Singur, told newspersons that the total vacant land available within the project site — albeit not contiguous — would add up to roughly 300 acres. It is this land that the Trinamool Congress wants returned to the “unwilling farmers”.

On Tuesday, Tata Motors had made it clear to the West Bengal government that it should not take any steps in Singur that would disturb the integrated nature of the auto cluster consisting of the mother plant and the vendor park.

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