PM wants a solution to Singur row in national interest

With the row over Tata's Nano car project in Singur eluding a solution, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said it is in the interest of West Bengal and India that the issue is resolved "satisfactorily."     

The prime minister also said he did not want to apportion blame but sincerely believed that even now it is "not too late" to find a negotiated settlement which would meet the concerns of those farmers who are agitating as well as the concerns of the investors, the Tatas.     

The Tatas, West Bengal government and the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress are locked in a dispute over farmland acqusition that has led the industry group to consider moving out of the state. Work remains suspended at the Singur for nearly a month.    

Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata is due to hold talks with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in Kolkata on October three to discuss the company's Nano car project which has run into strong resistance from Trinamool Congress over farmland acquisition issue.     

"I will discuss with Ratan Tata all aspects of the small car project which is now in uncertainty," according to Bhattacharjee. Ratan Tata had replied to Bhattacharjee's letter a few days ago expressing his intention to meet him to discuss the impasse.     

With the stalemate continuing, Information and Broadcasting minister P R Dasmunshi said Tatas should have to make "some sacrifice" in the interest of those who will lose land at Singur.     

"Tatas should also make some sacrifice. An industry cannot come up ignoring society. Industry cannot come up in a war-like situation. We will be sending our proposals to the Tatas day-after-tomorrow," Dasmunshi told reporters in Kolkata yesterday.