Mamata returns Singur land to farmers, but they're in a dilemma

Singur: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee handed over land 'parchas' and cheques to the farmers in Singur even as she sent messages to firms saying any company willing to set up auto firm in the state is "welcome".

Handing over parchas and cheques following a Supreme Court order in this regard, Banerjee, who had steered the massive agitation against the land acquisition for Tatas' nano car factory in Singur in 2006, said, "We want industry but not through forcible (land) acquisition".

'Parcha' is a document which establishes the ownership of a farmer over a piece of land in revenue records.

The Supreme Court had on August 31 ruled that land acquisition process in Singur was faulty and not for public purpose and had directed the state government to return it to the farmers within 12 weeks.

"I am giving a month's time. You think. We will give 1000 acre land at Goaltore (in Midnapore). If anyone, be it Tatas or BMW, wants to set up auto industry, they are welcome. We will be very happy," she said.

"We will keep the land. (If you want to set up industry) ...please contact our Finance Minister Amit Mitra or the Chief Secretary. We have land at Kharagpur, Panagarh, and other places. Our message is very clear. We must set up industry and save agriculture land," she said.

She said, "We are working with many of their (Tatas) companies. Tomorrow we will have an agreement with one of their companies".

Criticizing the previous Left Front government's policy, she said, "The difference is that we have the land bank, land map and land use policy. The Tatas could not set up (Nano) factory due to the stubborn attitude of the LF government over the 1000 acre land (in Singur)."

Banerjee, who had resorted to hunger strike and dharna to oppose the "forcible" acquisition, recounted the memories of the days of agitation, and the people who helped her.

"I was beaten up by the police at midnight at the BDO office and was admitted to nursing home in serious condition. I will never forget those incidents," she said.

Banerjee also had a dig at the Congress, saying, "The UPA government was in power at the Centre then. But none had bothered to inquire about us."

Distributing land parchas to 9,117 farmers and cheques to 806 persons amidst jubilation, she said, "Today I am happy because I kept my promise (of returning farmland)".

"We will also give Rs 10,000 to the farmers to ensure that the land can be made cultivable. Our government will extend all necessary help to the farmers including seeds and fertilizer," she said, adding the share-croppers will also get their share of compensation.

Banerjee said until the land is returned cultivable condition, the government would provide monetary support of Rs 2,000 per month to the farmers.

They will also get rice at Rs 2 per KG, she said.

Social activist Medha Patkar who was part of the Singur anti-land acquisition protest was also present in today's program and hailed Banerjee's pro-active role.

"This is a historic judgment which had come after historic struggle. This is beyond politics. Mamata Banerjee had taken forward the fight of water, jungle and land. It has sent out a message," Patkar said.

Banerjee chose the occasion to warn of launching a street agitation if her pleas for debt-waiver were not heard positively by the Center.

"I will wait for a few more days for our pleas of debt-waiver to be heard. If not, we will hit the streets. We are paying Rs 40,000 crore by way of debts," she said.

Farmers in dilemma over future of land

Even as the state government today handed over the land 'parchas' to the farmers of Singur, both "willing" and "unwilling" farmers are in a dilemma over the status of the land whether it will ever be back to a condition where it can be cultivated again.

"We are happy that we have got back our land and money. But, we don't know what to do with the land. We have to see what can be done, whether the condition of it can be improved so that it can be cultivated again. If it can't be cultivated, we will have to look for other options," said Prasanta Das, an "unwilling" farmer who received both the cheque and the 'parcha' today.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee handed over the land 'parchas' and cheques to the farmers even as she sent messages to companies saying anyone willing to set up automobile factories in the state was "welcome".

Distributing land parchas among 9,117 farmers and cheques among 806 persons amid jubilation, Banerjee said, "Today, I am happy because I have kept my promise (of returning the farmland)".

"Let's see, what can be done with the land. If it returns to a position where it can be cultivated once again, it's good. Or else, we will wait for Mamata Banerjee's direction and see what can be done," said R Chakraborty, who received the 'parcha' and the cheque.