More relief may sweeten deal for Singur farmers

The West Bengal government is in the final stages of giving shape to a compensation package for the farmers who have not accepted money for the land lost to the Tata Motors' upcoming small car factory in Singur.

The government is considering an offer to the farmers to receive the payment in two parts""a lumpsum and an annuity for a mutually agreed period. This will enable the families adapt to a landless existence.

Also, the families may be trained in how to invest the compensation money. The third part of the package could be enhanced compensation, even for those who have already received the payment.

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirupam Sen is looking into the nitty-gritty of the package, which may be implemented soon after the matter is settled in the court.

The issue was taken up at the CPI(M)'s state committee meeting, attended by senior Left leader Jyoti Basu, Left Front Chairman Biman Bose and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Basu said the package worked out by Sen was the best in the country. "I am happy with the compensation package worked out by Industry Minister Nirupam Sen.We will distribute the package to the farmers soon after the matter is settled in the court," he said.

On Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee's suggestion for relocating the plant to 600 acres of government land across the road, Basu said the land in question was owned by many individuals.

The government had earlier said that it would be difficult to return the land in the plant site. It has entered into a lease agreement with the Tata Motors for around 690 acres for the mother plant while the deal with the vendors for another 290 acres will be signed in due course.

Meanwhile, there was tension at Burdwan district's Purushottampur area, where many people were injured when villagers protesting against the expansion of the Indian Iron and Steel Company (IISCO) clashed with police yesterday.

More than 100 people were arrested and sent to police custody. Some villagers whose land would be taken for the project tried to stop the bulldozers. They were demanding permanent jobs in the company.

In Nandigram, a 13-member Trinamool Congress delegation, led by leader of opposition Partha Chatterjee, visited the areas which have been witnessing violence for the past three days. Chatterjee alleged the CPI(M) "goons" were firing and hurling bombs at the villagers in front of police.