WB defends land acquisition policy in Singur before Calcutta HC

Kolkata, June 7 (UNI) West Bengal Government today filed an affidavit before the Calcutta High Court, defending land acquisition in Singur for Tata Motors' Small Car factory.

In its affidavit, submitted before the divisional bench headed by Chief Justice SS Nijjhar, the state government stated that 2,414 people had voluntarily handed over land, measuring 2087 acres, to ft.

The state government also clarified its policy of land acquisition and stated that it had adequately compensated the farmers whose land had been taken over.

On Tuesday, West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation(WBIDC) also filed a 40-page affidavit favouring government land acquisition in the village, about 35 kms west of Kolkata.

In the affidavit, WBIDC said that automotive sector provides direct employment to 4.56 lakh people and indirect employment to one crore others.

All these clearly foreshadowed tremendous growth potential on the automobile industry in Bengal.

The affidavit also said of the 997 acres acquired, 645.67 would be given to the Tata Motors for manufacturing units. About 290 acres will be provided to other auto-component manufacturing units, while about 14.33 acres will be given to the West Bengal state electricity board for a 220 KV sub-station and 47.11 acres will be retained by WBIDC, it said.

The affidavit also said the factory would open up several job opportunities boosting Bengal's economy in Singur and surroundings areas.

UNI