To clear Mamata’s block, Buddha may hike land rate

Underlining that he was committed to the reforms that he has been pushing in his state, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee indicated here today that he’s ready with an economic “package” for those farmers of Singur whose refusal to accept land compensation has put a cloud over the Tata Motors’ Nano plant.

“There are some genuine farmers who still do not want to give their land,” Bhattacharjee told members of Assocham and local chambers. “The government has a moral responsibility for them. The government is ready with a package for them and we are ready to discuss that package.”

Sources said the “package” would include enhanced financial compensation for Singur farmers. It would benefit all land losers those who have accepted their compensation cheques and those who haven’t and is said to cost an extra Rs 30-40 crore. Bhattacharjee said the government had deposited the unclaimed compensation amount estimated at about Rs 28 crore with the Calcutta High Court.

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Amar Singh by her side, Mamata to Tatas: stay, but return 400 acres

On Day One of her party’s siege of the Tana Nano factory in Singur, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee asked the Tatas not to leave Bengal but “be satisfied” with 600 acres of land. Identifying 500 acres just opposite the Nano factory, she proposed that ancillary units be shifted there.

The dharna near the factory gate was peaceful and Banerjee was joined, among others, by SP general secretary Amar Singh and activist Medha Patkar.

“I would urge the Tatas not to leave Bengal. Stay here, be satisfied with 600 acres. Please return 400 acres to the farmers or else we will continue to sit here and agitate,” Banerjee told a huge gathering of party workers and supporters.

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