Singur’s message

BETTER senses have prevailed in arriving at a compromise formula between the West Bengal Government and Ms Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress over Singur land acquisition controversy. West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi deserves praise for his untiring efforts to bring the warring parties to the negotiation table and thrashing out a formula, acceptable to all. Mr Ratan Tata’s threat to relocate his dream small car Nano project elsewhere because of violence and intimidation of his employees had shaken the industry, the government as well as the people, who are eagerly awaiting for the launch of Tata’s small wonder.

The prolonged agitation and heavy rains have upset the total time-table of the project badly. But the lost time can now be made up by speeding up the works. While Ms Mamata Banerjee has emerged victorious and as the champion of farmers after the agitation, the West Bengal Government can also heave a sigh of relief once things settle down and production begins. The Singur issue, however, has brought into focus two contrasting things. One, people are not averse to industrial development but, at the same time they are also not ready to part with their fertile land to make way for big plants. The policy-makers, thus, will have to strike a fine balance between the development and the desire of the people. Industries are welcome but not at the cost of people losing their fertile lands, is the message of Singur agitation. Agreed that no development can take place in any area without displacing the people already settled there. It is also agreed that the State has a sovereign right to acquire land for developmental projects, as ruled by the Supreme Court in its latest judgement, upholding land acquisition by the Andhra Pradesh Government near Hyderabad. But, the feelings of the project-affected will also have to be taken into consideration. In their bid to outdo others and develop backward regions in their respective states, many Chief Ministers invite big corporate houses to start industries, offering them various sops. The real problem, however, starts with acquiring of land for the project. It would be better if the Supreme Court asks the Union Government to prepare a uniform land acquisition and rehabilitation policy. This will not only make land acquisition hassle-free, but also much transparent. A watch-dog body will be able to sort out differences between the project-hit and the Government, in a better way.