Villagers looking to farming again

The sudden spurt in activity both on the part of the Mamata Banerjee-led government and farmers to undertake farming again in the land that was once billed to roll out the Nano car has brought the spotlight back to the controversial site, albeit for a different reason.

Das and many farmers have been waiting for their land to be handed over to them again.

The Singur Land Rehabilitation and Development Act, which came into force on June 21, provides provisions for scrapping the land leased to Tata Motors by the erstwhile Left Front government.

With the Tatas moving the Supreme Court on Tuesday, things are likely to take an interesting turn. This is because, by the time the apex court hears the versions of state authorities and Tata Motors, distribution of land among the farmers may be over. At least, that explains the sudden overdrive on the part of the government to survey the land and arrange for its expedite distribution.

Secondly, once the farmers are in possession of land and about to begin farming activities, any adverse judgment could agitate them and trigger a law and order issue.

In fact, the apex court’s interim verdict on Monday blocking the land acquisition at Noida by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, citing Nandigram, could come as a rallying point for the Mamata regime.