H C asks Beng gov to file fresh affidavit on its acquisition policy

Kolkata, Feb 23 (UNI) The controversy over acquisition of land in Singur, the proposed site for Tata Motors small car project, refused to cease with Calcutta High Court asking the West Bengal government today to file a fresh affidavit on its acquisition policy of agricultural land.

A two-judge bench, headed by acting Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya, issued the ruling on a PIL alleging that no uniform policy was followed by the governmnet to get the land from landowners and farmers from Singur.

The petitioner Joydeep Mukherjee said a large chunk of the land in Singur was acquired 'illegally' by the government.

Mr Mukherjee said the government had lured some landowners and farmers, who refused to part with their land, with more money so that they handover their land for the project.

But, those who agreed to handover their land were given the existing rate of the government, he added.

Mr Mukherjee also alleged that many farmers and land owners of the area were illiterate and government officials deliberately kept them in the dark by not divulging the details and got their thumb print to get their consent.

The Court directed the government to detail all the allegations of the petitoners in the affidavit which would have to be submitted before the court in two weeks.

UNI