Mamata rejects Bengal government offer on Singur land

KOLKATA - Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Wednesday rejected the West Bengal government’s formula for enabling Tata Motors to set up its Nano car plant in Singur.

The government offered to return 10 percent of the acquired land to farmers if Banerjee allows the Tata Motors to set up its small car plant.

A senior state minister said Tuesday the Singur formula would be in exchange of the government returning a part of the acquired land at the satellite township of Rajarhat-Newtown in the city’s northeastern fringes.

“The state government is engaged in land scam, which should first be unearthed,” said Banerjee, demanding that all documents relating to land acquisition in Rajarhat be made public.

State Housing Minister Goutam Deb proposed the Singur formula, saying if Banerjee agreed to it, the government would return a part of the acquired land at Rajarhat.

On Wednesday, Industries Minister Nirupam Sen echoed Deb’s proposal.

However, Banerjee indicated she was not game for the proposal.

“This government is involved in scandals. There are land scams, which took place everywhere, including at Rajarhat. First, the scams should be unearthed,” she said.

In Rajarhat, 25,000 acres of land has been acquired forcibly from farmers. The farmers were paid lass and the government sold it at high price, said Banerjee.

“I demand that the government make all documents and the list public,” Banerjee said.