Top Trinamool Congress leaders are rejoicing, celebrating the victory of the farmers from a stage occupying majority of the National Highway-2 at Singur. Party activists have gathered in tens of thousands, choking traffic on a 10-km stretch for the entire day.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) denied permission for the rally but the district authorities used discretionary powers to hold it. Normally such discretionary powers are applicable over a kilometre stretch. But, today was an exception.
This is the same spot where Mamata Banerjee – then in opposition – held demonstrations in 2006 and 2008 against the then Left Front government alleging forcible acquisition of 997 acres farmland for Tata’s Nano factory.
The campaign was successful. Tata Motors relocated the factory to Sanand in Gujarat in October 2008. Banerjee became Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2011, ending the 34-year Left rule. And, on August 31, the Supreme Court vindicated her stand by ordering return of the acquired land to farmers within 12 weeks.
She celebrated the occasion on Wednesday by distributing compensation cheques to 800 unwilling farmers (who denied accepting it in the past) as per the court order and handed over the deeds to over 9,000 farmers who were affected.
They will get possession of the land after the State removes the construction – the factory sheds – and make it cultivable.
“The entire process will be completed within 8 weeks ahead of the Court mandated time line,” she said claiming that the movement was ‘historic’ and “will remain an example of upholding farmers’ rights”. Singur laid the foundation of her political rise. And, to seal the fate of the Opposition, Banerjee announced a bouquet of sops over and above the court ordered compensation.
Announcements were made for one-time payment of ₹10,000 to families who lost their lands to help them return to farming. Besides, the State government will provide them high quality fertilisers and seeds. An institute will also be set up to train farmers. Special facility will be made available to provide soft loans for acquiring agricultural equipment.
Advise to the Tatas
But should it choke investment in West Bengal? Banerjee didn’t answer the question but advised the Tatas to take the episode (however bitter it is) in a ‘sporting’ manner. “Let us take the issue (Singur) in a sporting manner.... I can give 1000 acres of land to you (Tatas) tomorrow in Goaltore (West Midnapore) if you want to set up a car factory there. Land is there in our possession,” she said.
“Be it a Tata or a BMW or any auto major, we can give land to anyone right now. It is not an issue for companies looking to invest,” she added. Apart from manufacturing and small and medium scale industries, Banerjee pitched for IT enterprises.
Nimai Deb of Gopal Nagar in Singur who once offered his land for the project and today got the land back was elated. “Everything that she says comes true,” he told BusinessLine .
That points a sharp rise in political equity of Didi (as Banerjee is fondly referred to), who had just won the 2016 Assembly election by a handsome margin.