Bengal formula: Fresh package, land for land

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA

Sept. 5: The state government has offered "land-for- land" formula for the "unwilling" farmers at Singur. In addition, the government proposes a better compensation and rehabilitation package for both the "willing" and "unwilling" farmers. The state government has also reportedly agreed to show its agreement with the Tata Motors regarding the Nano project at Saturday’s meeting.

The meeting between the state government panel and the panel representing Krishi Jomi Raksha Committee (KJRC) on Friday deliberated all the probable means to find a solution of the Singur issue. As the meeting started, Partha Chatterjee-led KJRC panel demanded that the government should return the land earmarked for the ancillary units to the "unwilling" farmers. "They (KJRC panel)suggested that the government should relocate the ancillary units to the opposite side of the project and construct an underpass to connect the mother plant with those units," a source quoted. However, state commerce and industries minister Nirupam Sen ruled out the proposal and maintained if the land is returned, the Nano project would not happen. Showing the map of the project area, the government panel proposed a 36-acre plot, owned by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) outside the boundary wall of the project, which could be returned to the "unwilling" farmers. "The representatives of the government informed at the meeting that the land is not damaged much and can be cultivated," the source revealed.

Another source quoted the government panel: "Nirupam Sen proposes that the Opposition should help the government in identifying barren land in the vicinity which would be acquired by the government for setting up market or commercial complex."