More time needed to study Tata-WB govt pact: Partha

Kolkata, May 26: Though it was announced that the government would make public the agreement between the West Bengal government and Tata for its Nano project at Singur, Industry minister Partha Chatterjee today (May 26) said more time was required to study the legal implications.

"We are examining the legal issues. There are many parties involved, not only the Tatas. There are 54 vendors which exist on paper. More time is needed to study and to examine the legal implications," Chatterjee, told reporters after a meeting with the principal industry secretary, WBIDC managing director and IT secretary.

He said it was fortunate that Anindya Mitra, tipped to be the new advocate general by the present government, was familiar with the issue.

The Calcutta High Court in September, 2008 had restrained the WBIDC from making the agreement public on a petition moved by the Tatas.

Chatterjee said: "Mamata Banerjee will not do anything which will complicate matters further".

He failed to give a timeline by when the agreement would be made public. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had yesterday said the agreement between the Tatas and the erstwhile Left Front government would be made public today.

PTI