Bengal begins land distribution process, Tatas move apex court

The West Bengal government today initiated the process of identifying land at the abandoned Tata Motors factory in Singur as part of its land distribution initiative for the ‘unwilling’ farmers. The Tatas, meanwhile, moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the state government’s move.

A team of 50 surveyors began measuring the land at the project site to mark the 400 acres to be returned to the farmers who had not collected their compensation cheques.

Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress’ MLA Becharam Manna, who is also a member of the committee set up to facilitate the land return, claimed the 3.8 acres of land was to be given back to the farmers tonight. However, Hooghly District Magistrate Sripriya Rangarajan later clarified the 3.8 acres will be returned in the first phase but would not take place today.

Among the 886 unwilling landowners, who have already filed their claims with the Singur block development officer, 140 fell under category A — land which was not disputed. Local officials have also started distribution of forms for sharecroppers, who were not keen on parting with the land they tilled.

When asked about the development, a Tata Motors spokesperson said, “We have already filed a petition regarding this before the Supreme Court.” The company moved the apex court after the Calcutta High Court had turned down its application yesterday, seeking an injunction restraining the government from distributing land.

The HC had rejected the plea on the grounds that the Tatas had not mentioned physical distribution of land would start today. The Supreme Court vacation bench comprising judges P Sathasivam and A K Patnaik posted the matter for hearing tomorrow.

Reacting to the move by the Tatas, Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the state industry ministry, said, “We have learned the Tatas have approached the SC. We have filed our caveat and are taking steps for arguing the matter tomorrow.”

Responding to the company’s petition in the HC on The Singur Land Rehabilitation & Development Act 2011, which was passed by the Assembly on June 14 to take over the land and return 400 acre to the farmers, Banerjee argued: “Tata in their annual report of 2009-10 said that they have completed relocation and for that they have incurred an amount of Rs 58.15 crore. Although they are making an allegation that they have suffered losses of Rs 1,800 crore and Rs 400 crore in the process, it contradicts their report.”

The government side completed its submission before the HC today. While the court has given Tata Motors opportunity to reply tomorrow, former mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, who is representing the ‘willing’ farmers is also likely to present his case tomorrow before the HC.