Singur: Process to return farmers’ land starts

“About 4,000 forms have been distributed. Those having all legal documents and proof supporting their claim have been placed under Category A. Those not having relevant documents are under Category B. So far,265 forms have been submitted,” said Becharam Manna,Haripal MLA and convener of Singur Krishak o Krishijeebi Raksha Committee. Minister for School Education Rabindranath Bhattacharya,who represents Singur,went to the BDO office to supervise the distribution of forms.

The Minister for School Education added he would visit villages to assist farmers in filling up the forms.

Two days ago,Tata Motors had pleaded before the Calcutta High Court for a workable solution in the case. Appearing for the company,counsel Samaraditya Pal submitted before Justice Soumitra Pal that since it had lost possession of land at Singur,for such time that the court hears the petition,status quo should be maintained.

According to government estimates,there are about 6,000 ‘unwilling’ farmers in Singur,who had not collected cheques for compensation packages doled out by the previous state government.

A 19-member committee has been formed,headed by the state Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee,to conduct the land redistribution process.