After meeting the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Tata Motors Managing Director G Ravikanth told reporters that "he (Yeddyurappa) said he will give all support, assistance and required incentives if we want it (in case of re-locating the plant).

"The project requires about 1,000 acres of land. It is an integrated project," Ravikanth said.

Asked if Karnataka Government has offered 1,000 acres of land, he said "yes" and added "if we have to have the project it requires 1,000 acres."

To another query whether Tata Motors was looking at re-locating the plant, he said, "We are considering alternatives if required," indicating that a final decision to pull out from West Bengal in the wake of land allotment row was yet to be taken.

Tata Motors has a manufacturing facility at Dharwad in the north Karnataka region, where it produces buses and tractors.

Soon after Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata announced that he was not averse to shift the Nano car project from West Bengal, other states, including Karnataka, Punjab and Haryana invited the company.

FARMERS QUEUE UP FOR COMPENSATION

Tata Motors said that 17 farmers who lost their land in Singur to make way for its car plant have applied for the new rehabilitation package announced by West Bengal government.

''Seventeen unwilling farmers have registered for availing of the new rehabilitation package with the Singur block development officer and the Hooghly district magistrate till now,'' a Tata Motors spokesperson said in Kolkata.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, while referring to the rehabilitation package for affected farmers, had urged them to collect their compensation cheques by September 22.

''Once they receive the payment, the problem will be solved, peace will return and a conducive atmosphere will be created for normal functioning of the Tata Motors Nano small car plant,'' he had said.