Bengal CM says cannot return land Singur farmers

Bengal CM says cannot return land Singur farmers
Tuesday, Aug 26

KOLKATA - Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said it is not possible to return 400 acres of land to farmers of Singur who have denied compensation.

"We have to make the project successful and it can't be done by returning the land," Bhattacharjee told members of Associated Chambers of Commerce in Kolkata today.

Tata Motors is slated to roll out its 100,000-rupee car Nano in October from the Singur plant.

The Bengal chief minister also ruled out negotiating directly with the farmers whose land has been acquired for the plant.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee is currently holding an indefinite dharna near Tata Motors's Nano plant in Singur demanding the return of 400 acres of land to those farmers who have refused compensation.

"Firstly around 13,000 families are involved, and secondly many don't reside in the country," Bhattacharjee said to a question put by former Exide Industries managing director S.B. Ganguly.

"I hope that sense should prevail upon the Opposition party and they should call off their agitation," he said.